Behind the Scenes of Wolves' Kitman: A Career Built on Friendship and Perseverance
Sean Ruiz's office is a shrine to Wolves kit, with gold shirts hanging from hooks like a treasure trove. The team's head of kit, Ruiz has been tasked with keeping up appearances for the club's home and away teams, but it's not just about football - it's about being part of a family.
Ruiz, a Colombian who joined Wolves in August after 20 years in New York, has developed close relationships with the players. He knows their quirks, their preferences, and their sizes down to the last detail. Yerson Mosquera, one of the team's defenders, often pops in for chats while Ruiz is busy printing numbers onto shirts or prepping the van for away games.
"It's a blessing to have these relationships," Ruiz says. "To see them not just for what everybody else sees: a centre-back, a striker for Wolves. These guys are like family to me. I'm lucky to get to see this side of them, to be there when things are good, when things are bad."
Ruiz's role is not just about kit - it's also about matchday logistics. He and his team work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every player has the right gear for each game. From socks to trainers, Ruiz knows exactly what each player needs.
The process starts six hours before kick-off, with Ruiz and his assistant Barry Piper loading up their van with shirts, shorts, and other essentials. They arrive at the stadium just in time to help unpack the laundry bins and get everything sorted out for the players.
One of the most surprising aspects of Ruiz's job is how much he has to do on matchdays. The game itself may be over, but there's still work to be done - from inflating the ball to sorting out post-game laundry. And then there are the tiny details that make all the difference, like knowing exactly what size and color socks each player prefers.
Ruiz doesn't just know every player by name - he also knows their preferences for long sleeves or short ones, baggy shirts or tight-fitting ones. It's a staggering amount of information to keep track of, but Ruiz handles it with ease.
As for the most challenging part of his job? Late changes to the kit, which can throw everything off and require Ruiz to think on his feet. "Any other city in the country and that doesn't happen," he says wryly, recalling a time when he had to track down a missing number from a manufacturer based in Los Angeles.
Despite the demands of the job, Ruiz loves every minute of it. He's made friends with some of the players - even if they don't always appreciate his jokes about their kit preferences. And when Wolves scores a rare goal - like their 3-0 win over West Ham - the dressing room is electric with excitement.
Ruiz may have stumbled into this career, but he's made it his own. He knows that he can count on his team to be there for him, and he's happy to return the favor. As he says, "You've got to figure it out" when you're in a new place - and Ruiz has done just that.
Sean Ruiz's office is a shrine to Wolves kit, with gold shirts hanging from hooks like a treasure trove. The team's head of kit, Ruiz has been tasked with keeping up appearances for the club's home and away teams, but it's not just about football - it's about being part of a family.
Ruiz, a Colombian who joined Wolves in August after 20 years in New York, has developed close relationships with the players. He knows their quirks, their preferences, and their sizes down to the last detail. Yerson Mosquera, one of the team's defenders, often pops in for chats while Ruiz is busy printing numbers onto shirts or prepping the van for away games.
"It's a blessing to have these relationships," Ruiz says. "To see them not just for what everybody else sees: a centre-back, a striker for Wolves. These guys are like family to me. I'm lucky to get to see this side of them, to be there when things are good, when things are bad."
Ruiz's role is not just about kit - it's also about matchday logistics. He and his team work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every player has the right gear for each game. From socks to trainers, Ruiz knows exactly what each player needs.
The process starts six hours before kick-off, with Ruiz and his assistant Barry Piper loading up their van with shirts, shorts, and other essentials. They arrive at the stadium just in time to help unpack the laundry bins and get everything sorted out for the players.
One of the most surprising aspects of Ruiz's job is how much he has to do on matchdays. The game itself may be over, but there's still work to be done - from inflating the ball to sorting out post-game laundry. And then there are the tiny details that make all the difference, like knowing exactly what size and color socks each player prefers.
Ruiz doesn't just know every player by name - he also knows their preferences for long sleeves or short ones, baggy shirts or tight-fitting ones. It's a staggering amount of information to keep track of, but Ruiz handles it with ease.
As for the most challenging part of his job? Late changes to the kit, which can throw everything off and require Ruiz to think on his feet. "Any other city in the country and that doesn't happen," he says wryly, recalling a time when he had to track down a missing number from a manufacturer based in Los Angeles.
Despite the demands of the job, Ruiz loves every minute of it. He's made friends with some of the players - even if they don't always appreciate his jokes about their kit preferences. And when Wolves scores a rare goal - like their 3-0 win over West Ham - the dressing room is electric with excitement.
Ruiz may have stumbled into this career, but he's made it his own. He knows that he can count on his team to be there for him, and he's happy to return the favor. As he says, "You've got to figure it out" when you're in a new place - and Ruiz has done just that.
u know what i think is really cool about this story? its not just about kitman sean ruiz, its about how friendships can be built behind the scenes like that. we're always talkin 'bout unity & teamwork in our online communities 
but here's a real-life example of how relationships can thrive even outside of football. Ruiz has taken his job to heart & created these meaningful bonds with the players, which is truly admirable 
.
we're always scrollin through feeds, likin & commentin without really takin the time to engage with people. Ruiz on the other hand has made a conscious effort to get to know these players, their quirks & all 
. might be somethin we can all learn from 
. it's so cool that he gets to know each player on such a personal level and tailor the kit to their preferences. like, who wouldn't want to wear the exact right socks for every game? 
. sean ruiz's dedication to his job is truly admirable, and it's a great reminder that there are people like him who make our favorite teams run smoothly 
Ruiz is prob the only person who knows what size socks yerson wants because he's the one who does his laundry 
I love how much dedication Sean Ruiz puts into making sure the Wolves kit is spot on for every game 
He's not just about the football, he's part of the team's family 
That would drive me crazy! But Ruiz handles it like a pro 
I'm sure it's all worth it when the team scores those epic goals 
He's like a superhero behind the scenes, making sure every player's gear is on point! 
What I find really impressive is how he handles those last-minute kit changes 
. It's like he's juggling a million balls in the air, but always lands on his feet 
. Give this guy a raise and a permanent spot in the Wolves' hall of fame! 