Wolves legend Dave Wagstaffe has operation after heart attack

The 70-year-old has undergone an operation and is in New Cross Hospital after being taken ill yesterday morning.

Wolves issued a statement this afternoon saying: "Wolves have been shocked and saddened to hear that Dave Wagstaffe, the iconic winger of the 1960s and 1970s, has suffered a heart attack.

"Waggy, as he has always been known in Wolverhampton, had the attack early on Sunday morning and is now recovering after surgery at the city's New Cross Hospital.

"One of the last of the great traditional wingers, he was always a crowd favourite in his 12 years with the club during which time he made 404 appearances including the 1974 League Cup final when Wolves beat Manchester City – the team he moved to Molineux from on Boxing Day 1964.

"Dave, who celebrated his 70th birthday earlier this month, was a very popular inductee into the club's Hall of Fame.

"The club have spoken to Dave's partner Val Williams this morning and everyone at Wolverhampton Wanderers would like to send their very best wishes to Dave for a speedy recovery."

Manchester-born Wagstaffe was inducted into the club's hall of fame with Malcolm Finlayson and Andy Mutch in January this year.

He was part of one of the club's most successful teams and set up countless goals for Derek Dougan and John Richards, helping to make them into one of the most feared strike partnerships in the country during the early 1970s.

After helping Wolves to promotion in 1967, he won the Texaco Cup in 1971 – when they finished fourth in the top flight – and the League Cup in 1974. He also helped the team reach the UEFA Cup final in 1972, scoring against Tottenham.

Leaving Wolves for his native North West in January 1976, Wagstaffe enjoyed two stints with Blackburn Rovers.

He has returned to work for his beloved Wolves twice, first to run the sports and social club in the 1980s and then to run his own bar which opened shortly after the start of the ground being rebuilt in 1992.