Mourning the passing of a footballing gentleman

The 93-year-old passes that mantle on to another all-time great, his good friend Sir Tom Finney, who turns 92 in April.

To say that players like Bert, Sir Tom and the late Sir Stanley Matthews came from a different era of football goes without saying.

The Cat, as he was nicknamed for his extraordinary agility, goes down in history as Wolves' greatest ever goalkeeper.

But he also did a lot for charity, helping to raise more than £150,000 for the Alzheimer's Society, the charity helping people like his beloved wife Evelyn, who died of the disease in 2002.

One of the recurring words used in the many tributes to Bert was 'gentleman'.

Anyone who had the privilege of meeting Bert would know that to be a deserved title and that he was incredibly humble despite his renowned talent as a goalkeeper and how stories of his brilliance on the pitch have been passed down through generations.

He was a giant of the sport who never lost his gentle kindness and respect for everyone he met.

This is not a time to draw comparisons with today's sports stars.

People will make their own conclusions about the changes that have affected the beautiful game over the past 20 or so years.

Today is about thanking Bert Williams for the joy he brought to football fans in the Black Country and beyond.

When someone of the standing of Gordon Banks is saying that Bert was a 'legend' on the pitch, we know it must be true.

The word is used far too often in today's parlance but if anyone deserved such a label it would be Bert Williams.

There has never been a bad word said about him.

Our condolences and best wishes are with Bert's relatives today.

His family will miss him, friends will miss him and fans will miss him.

The world of football will certainly miss him too.

Farewell Bert Williams.

Rest in peace, Legend.