Express & Star

Widow of Wolves legend Eddie Stuart 'overwhelmed by support' from club and fans

The widow of Wolves legend Eddie Stuart today said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received from the club and its supporters in the wake of his death.

Published

Cynthia Stuart, aged 80, and her children held back tears as fans broke out into thunderous applause while they laid a wreath in front of the North Bank just before the game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Stuart, who died earlier this month aged 83 after a long illness, became one of the most decorated players in Wolves history as part of the League Championship successes in 1954, 1958 and 1959.

And Cynthia, who was accompanied on the pitch by the couple's three children Belinda, 51, Philippa, 48, and Michael, 47, said: "The wreath was absolutely beautiful and my son carried a Wolves shirt which was put behind the goal as well.

"I was overwhelmed by it all and I am sure that Eddie would have been thrilled to bits that he was appreciated so much.

"Although he played for other clubs - he played for Stoke and Stockport County and he received tributes from both of them in the last few weeks - his heart has always been with Wolves really.

"In the last few years we have gone to several matches and he always felt that he was a Wolves player more than any other.

"He would have been absolutely thrilled with what they did on Saturday. It was very, very moving and very kind of them."

Eddie Stuart and Bert Williams.

Wolves captain Sam Ricketts accompanied the family to the lay the wreath following the coin toss.

And Cynthia said: "The crowd gave us a very good reception. They applauded so much, I wasn't expecting that either.

"As I walked down the pitch with Sam Ricketts, they started to applaud and I just couldn't believe it. It was lovely."

Stuart's six grandchildren - Oliver, 18, Bethany, 16, Flossie, 13, Polly, 14, William, 15, and Joey, 10 - were also present for the occasion.

Stuart moved from his native South Africa to join Wolves at the age of 19, where he made 322 appearances scoring once.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.