Wolves U21s Set for Exciting Pre-Season With Local Derby and European Tests

Wolves U21s have confirmed their pre-season schedule ahead of the 2025/26 season, with behind closed doors friendlies against U21 opposition as well as a match against a local non-league side with a brand-new look.

Pre-season for James Collins’ young Wolves will begin on Saturday 12^th July with a visit to the Prestige Midlands Arena to play AFC Wolverhampton City. The club had previously been known as Old Wulfrunians until 2005, when they rebranded to AFC Wulfrunians. Founded in 1922, they currently play their football in the Midland Football League Premier Division. They finished 15^th in the the same league which saw Wolves loanees George Hardy and Lucas Kibrya ply their trade last season for Highgate United and Wolverhampton Casuals respectively. The two sides last met competitively in 2023, when Wolves U21 eliminated Wulfrunians from the Birmingham Senior Cup in the first round. Tom Edozie, Leo Lopes and Ethan McLeod were on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory that day. Wolves U23s also played a pre-season friendly against AFC Wulfrunians back in 2017, walking out 7-0 winners with goals from Bradley Carr, Carlos Heredia, Ryan Giles, Enzo Sauvage, Taylor Perry and a brace from Aaron Collins.

The day is sure to be a fantastic occasion and will mark Wolverhampton City’s first home game since the re-brand. This will be the only opportunity fans have to see the U21s in pre-season as the rest of the side’s preparations will be behind closed doors against other U21 sides. This includes friendlies at Compton against Bristol City and Norwich City before visiting Cardiff City and rivals West Brom. There are also two games against European opposition yet to be announced.