Robert Plant and Rita Cullis kick off organ fundraiser

?A global rock icon, an internationally-acclaimed opera singer, a symphony orchestra and a near-capacity crowd.

As fundraisers go, the football-themed Elgar spectacular at St Peter's Church in Wolverhampton had star quality, celebrating the city's civic pride with its love for Wolves.

An Evening with Edward Elgar attracted a 400-strong crowd including Led Zeppelin legend and Wolves vice-president Robert Plant. It featured the first-ever public performance of

He Banged the Leather for Goal, the world's first football chant penned by in 1898 by Land of Hope and Glory composer Elgar in honour of Wolves defender Billy Malpass.

Malpass's grandchildren Anne Griffiths and David Malpass and great granddaughter Alison Griffiths were guests at the concert - and even brought along one of Billy's 19th century England caps. Anne, of Tipton, said after Saturday night's event: "We are so proud. I can still remember him and the fun we had. He was very much a family man in his elder years.

"As well as his football and having a full-time job he was very musically-minded and could play the violin. The concert was brilliant."

Rock legend Plant told how Elgar had lifted his spirits in the past.

"I've never thought about whether I'm a fan of Elgar, but he was part of a great movement of British composers," he said.

"It's evocative music, really beautiful stuff. St Peter's is a beautiful place, I haven't been in here for probably 40 years. It's great to see a public gathering like this."

Opera singer Rita Cullis, niece of the club's 'Iron Manager' Stan Cullis, sang The Sun Goeth Down from Elgar's The Kingdom. Rita, aged 60, who now lives in Northampton, was visiting the city for the first time since her uncle Stan's statue was unveiled at Molineux in 2003.

She said: "I visited Molineux before the concert and had a look around the dressing rooms — everything was laid out ready for the Villa game. I always get a lump in my throat when I go there.

"The show was fantastic. There were a lot of non-musical people there, including parents and children, who really entered into it. That was lovely."

The Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra performed Elgar's famous Enigma Variations before St Peter's Church Choirs gave their eagerly-awaited rendition of the brief Malpass chant.

The concert was raising money to restore the church's 150-year-old organ, which will cost fully £300,000 to refurbish. The organ itself took centre stage as Peter Morris, director of music, skilfully coaxed the ailing instrument through Fear not O Land before turning to sympathetically applaud its pipes.

Church rector Rev David Wright, who doubles as the Wolves club chaplain, described the evening as an "incredible success". "We have a long way to go, but we hope to bring this instrument back to its former glory," he said.

The church will tomorrow count the proceeds of the evening, which Rev Wright said were boosted by a number of generous donations.

Elgar regularly cycled to Wolves matches from his home in Great Malvern, Worcestershire.