Rachael Heyhoe Flint honoured with blue plaque unveiled at family home

Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint was a pioneering sportswoman and businesswoman, best known for her time playing cricket for England, and as the vice-president of Wolves.

She captained England between 1966 and 1978, leading the team to victory in the 1973 World Cup.

After sparking a friendship with former Wolves owner Sir Jack Hayward in 1970, she served as the club's director from 1997 to 2003 before later becoming vice president.

A proud Wulfrunian, Baroness Heyhoe Flint was granted the Freedom of Wolverhampton in 2011 and such was the impact of her death, aged 77, in January 2017, Wolves players and England cricket players wore black armbands in her memory.

Now, a blue plaque has been unveiled at her family home on Wergs Road in Tettenhall.

The huge home was filled family and friends who gathered to remember the Baroness' impact on their lives and the sporting world.

Her son Ben, who returned from his home in Singapore for the unveiling, was thrilled with the turnout as people enjoyed refreshments during the day.

The 45-year-old said: "I think she would be almost embarrassed by this.

"She had a big persona but she was a very private lady, she loved her time at this house but I know she would make some self-deprecating joke about the plaque.

"It's lovely to have everyone come and unveil the plaque, a close family and friends affair."

Wolves director John Gough was one of many club representatives at the unveiling.

He added: "I've known her for a long time, tool long to count and she was instrumental in me joining the board at Wolves.

"She was a fantastic supporter of the club, never missed a game home or away.

"She was the most wonderful ambassador for the city, she represented herself, the city, the club and women in a remarkable way.

"A fantastic woman, she is remembered even now by people in the football world, and the world as a whole.

"Rachael had a great sense of humour, if she was hear to see this she would think 'I never thought my name would be on the front of my house'.

"She'd make jokes about it and have a laugh with people - that's who she was."

Mayor of Wolverhampton Claire Darke was also in attendance and made her stance clear as she called for important woman in the city to get the celebration they deserve.

She gave a speech ahead of the unveiling.

She said: "She was a great role model for the women of Wolverhampton.

"We don't celebrate women enough and we need to bear that in mind - she is a great example of what can be achieved.

"I'm really pleased to celebrate the new plaque."

The family home, called Danescroft, has been up for sale since earlier this year and is yet to find a buyer.

Despite this, its hoped that a new family will take over the home soon, with the plaque still in place.

Ben added: "I hope that the plaque is here forever, as long as the house is.

"I hope it doesn't deter a new owner, and maybe someone will buy the house that is a big cricket fan and sees it as a part of history."