Family and former team mates assembled today to watch the naming of a Midland Metro tram after Wolverhampton Wanderers and England football hero Billy Wright.
See also: Tram tribute to Wolves legend Billy Wright
Guests of honour Vicky and Kelly Wright, the star’s daughter and granddaughter, unveiled a commemorative name plaque on tram number seven, one of the vehicles painted in the new silver and magenta livery a depot in Potters Lane, Wednesbury.
Malcolm Finlayson, who made 203 appearances in goal for Wolves between 1956 to 1964, was at the event alongside Bill Slater, who captained the team to FA Cup victory against Blackburn Rovers in 1960 and gained 12 England caps.
Roy Swinbourne, who scored 114 goals for Wolves including two in the famous victory against Honved in 1954, Bilston-born George Showell, who made 208 appearances for the club, and Bobby Mason, who won two First Division Championship medals for the club,were also expected to attend.
Miss Wright, who followed in her mother Joy Beverley’s footsteps to become a singer, said: “Whenever we visit Wolverhampton we are always overwhelmed with the feeling the city still has for my father, when you remember that he died in 1994. To me he was just a lovely, wonderful father but we are so proud he is going to be commemorated in this way.”
Mr Slater, aged 81, who travelled up from London for the ceremony said: “He was a fine player and a very fine captain, not just for Wolves but for England.”
Loading ...
16 Comments
nice one
God Bless You Billy ~ One of the true greats and defo the greatest player the midlands has ever seen.
Great news. Two legends of the midlands football, honoured by namings on a tram.
The first being Jeff Astle, and then Billy Wright.
well deserved tribute.
i’m sorry, but i can’t help feeling there’s something simpsonesque about this - no problem with a tram being called jeff astle,with due respect, but the late great billy wright? 1st player to get 100 england caps, never booked, 1st div championships, fa cups etc etc. lets stick with football stands, statues. maybe a plane? or is it me??
Nice one!
Boing Boing.
Its a great Idea to name the trams after midland footballing heroes….. Good on you.
one word: LEGEND!
best player to ever were the gold and black shirt.
god bless billy wright we all miss him here.
At 6 years old I sat on my uncle Ted’s shoulders and watched Wolves playing Arsenal. Back at school the next Monday I wrote about how good Billy Wright was, even a 6 year old could recognize how special he was.
Great to see that the name and legend will live on after all of us around now.
im sure we could have named something better sfter Sir Billy than a tram.
a true great we all have to admire even when i wasnt born!!!god blesss
what about footballers to day no where near
the greatest lengend to walk on this earth
5 - I would never come on here and disrespect a player such as Billy Wright - he was a legend and deserves all the praise he ever receives…. so I find your comment about Jeff Astle tasteless, pointless and downright spiteful.
He may not have played for England as often as Wright - bit he was a true legend of Midlands football, a great player, a really good bloke and he deserves better than to have you come on here questioning his acheivements.
I’m sure you will post about how you meant no disrespect - but its there in black and white.
You may be “posh” - but you have no class !
Shame on you.
5 - I was wrong - you didn’t have the decency to even try to apologise (or anyone on your behalf - typical).
No wonder wolves fans are derided across the country… pathetic !
The greatest legend to ever walk on this earth
god bless billy!!!!!!!!!!!!!