Keeper Jon Flatt is still harbouring the long-term aim of adding his name to the roll of goalkeeping honour to have progressed from the Academy all the way to the first time.
In recent Wolves memory keepers like Matt Murray, Wayne Hennessey and Carl Ikeme have all come through the youth ranks to grace the first team, as well as enjoy international honours at different levels.
Flatt, who has just signed a new 18-month contract with a further year’s option in Wolves’ favour, knows he has a task on his hands to follow in those illustrious footsteps but it is a challenge he is relishing.
“I am delighted to have extended my stay at Wolves,” he said.
“I know everyone says it but when you get into the last year of your contract you are a bit nervy about what is going to happen.
“My family situation was also in the back of my head as I am due to become a Dad to a baby girl in a couple of months’ time.
“I have been speaking to Kevin for a while now and am delighted that it is all been sorted out.
“Now I can just concentrate on playing football, improving, and kicking on with a view to getting another one in a couple of years!
“I think I am improving all the time.
“Watching and working with Kemes (Carl Ikeme) and Lonners (Andy Lonergan) every day…I have to raise my standards because every day they are right on it and I don’t want to be left behind.
“They have both helped me and are pushing me.
“It will be 15 years next October since I first came here for a trial and got taken on and for more than half of that time I have been working with Pat (Mountain).
“I can’t thank him enough for the work he has done with me and that goes for everyone on the staff and around the club.
“Kevin and Scott (Sellars) have really supported me and now the new gaffer has come in and been great for me and I just want to thank everyone involved.”
Flatt says Ikeme is a particular role model due to the way he had to go out and impress on loan before getting his Wolves chance.
“Kemes has been a massive help to me in recent times,” he explains.
“And he is a good example to follow in terms of the loans he went out on before coming back to become the number one here.
“That is something I have to be aiming to emulate.
“I certainly feel a lot more at home now in the first team set-up.
“Since coming back from my loan at Cheltenham at the end of last season I have been moved up into the first team dressing room.
“I have been to every game, initially as the third keeper but have also been on the bench at times in recent weeks.
“I now feel part of the first team squad rather than the Under-21s keeper who has stepped up.
“Hopefully with this contract signed I can push on and we can see what happens in January.”
Whether Flatt heads out on loan to further his experience or gets an opportunity earlier than that, his overall ambition remains the same.
“Long-term, all I have ever wanted to do is to play for Wolves,” he says.
“I know that could be a long process and I will need to keep improving.
“I am 22, which is still young for a goalkeeper, so I have to keep working hard.
“If I go on loan I have to make sure I take that opportunity but I if am on the bench here or get a first team chance I will be ready to make the most of that as well.”
