Wolves and England hero Ron Flowers will finally pick up a medal for his part in the 1966 World Cup winning squad.

The 73-year-old, who owns a sports shop in Wolverhampton, was a member of the squad but never played in the tournament. He will join 11 other forgotten heroes including Jimmy Greaves, Jimmy Armfield, Petter Bonetti and Norman Hunter, who all missed out on medals after England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany in the final.

Midfielder Flowers won 49 caps for his country and played more than 500 times for Wolves. He now runs Ron Flowers Sport in Queen Street with son Glen.

Sepp Blatter, president of Fifa, has promised to honour the “forgotten 11” within 12 months by handing out the same gold medals given to the 11 who actually played.

Flowers, who lives near Stafford, was unavailable for comment, but his wife Yvonne, 70, said: “He was surprised. When Ron was in the squad it was an honour to play for your country.”