Wolves legend’s hero send-off

Wolves legend Norman Deeley, who scored twice in the club’s 3-0 FA Cup victory over Blackburn in 1960, was given a hero’s send-off this afternoon.

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See also: Deeley on 1960 Cup final

Family, friends, former team mates and Wolves officials descended on St Bartholomew’s Church in Church Hill, Wednesbury, for the 12.45pm service to salute the former England player, who died two weeks ago at the age of 73.

Mr Deeley, known in his home town as ‘Mr Wednesbury’, made 237 appearances and scored 75 goals for the club during his 11 years at Molineux, winning back-to-back league titles in 1957/58 and 1958/59.

Deeley was also capped twice by England while a Wolves player against Brazil and Peru in 1960. The winger left Wolves for Leyton Orient in 1962, going on to play for Worcester, Bromsgrove and Darlaston.

Mr Deeley lived in Bilston Road, Wednesbury, and was a part-time steward at Walsall in the years up to his death.

His passing has re-ignited a campaign to get football pitches in Wednesbury named after him in Bilston Road, in recognition of his efforts to secure better playing facilities for local youngsters.

Bill Slater who was captain of the 1960’s cup winning team attended today’s moving service.

“He was very special,” he said. “A wonderful winger who scored lots of goals. It was a very good team back then and he was a key part of it. He was quite a cheeky chap who was always good company. He will be very much missed.”

Barry Stobart described Norman as a “smashing fella. He was always lively, always talking and always telling people what to do,” he said.

Recalling the 1960 cup final Barry added: “It was a very hot day, we were struggling a little and so were they and we got the goal.”

Goalkeeper from the 1960 cup final Malcome Finlayson described today as a sad occasion.

“For such a small chap he was quite tenacious,” he said. “He formed part of a formidable forward line. He was a very lively little character, always game for a dare, and had a big personality.”

Shirley Broadbent, wife of Norman’s best friend Peter Broadbent, who couldn’t make the funeral due to illness, said: “They were that close we went on honeymoon together. He was a wonderful chap. I loved him to bits. He was a real Black Country boy.”

She added: “Norman was so upset over Peter he couldn’t go and see him. He was a great fella, I couldn’t have loved him more.”

Roy Swinbourne, who played with Norman in the 1960’s, described him as a great chap who knew all the Black County jokes and was great fun to be around.