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Wolverhampton retro: 18 nostalgic pictures from 1983, when Muhammad Ali paid a visit, the M54 opened and Wolves won promotion

Here we take a look back at Wolverhampton in 1983.

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By Tania Taylor
Published

The pictures capture some of the stories and events across the city in the year that Muhammad Ali visited a packed-out Sheraton club to give a speech to fans, the M54 finally opened after 16 years and three planning inquiries, and Wolves were promoted to the First Division.

Muhammad Ali got a heroes welcome when he visited The Sheraton in Wolverhampton in 1983 to give a speech to fans who were packed tightly into the venue. There were manic scenes as fans tried to get a glimpse of the greatest boxer of all time.
Muhammad Ali got a heroes welcome when he visited the Sheraton club in Wolverhampton in 1983 to give a speech to fans who were packed tightly into the venue. There were manic scenes as fans tried to get a glimpse of the greatest boxer of all time
Skiing enthusiast Linda McLaughlin, from Cannock, was delighted by the snow when she arrived for work in Wolverhampton on a snowy January morning in 1983
Skiing enthusiast Linda McLaughlin, from Cannock, was delighted by the snow when she arrived for work in Wolverhampton on a snowy January morning in 1983
June 1983, Wednesfield Community Centre. The centre was home for a wide range of activities catering for people of all ages
June 1983, Wednesfield Community Centre. The centre was home for a wide range of activities catering for people of all ages
In 2018 Elston Hall Primary School in Wolverhampton celebrated their 80th birthday. Here is a picture of their 1983 nativity which was on display as part of the school's celebrations
In 2018 Elston Hall Primary School in Wolverhampton celebrated their 80th birthday. Here is a picture of their 1983 nativity which was on display as part of the school's celebrations
On October 27, 1983, six Shropshire youngsters were presented with their cycling proficiency certificates by international singer Andy Williams. The unusual presentation was at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, and was arranged by Corporal Ron Sowtus of COD Donnington - the youngsters were all children of servicemen stationed at the garrison. It was his idea to break away from the usual presentations of cycling proficiency certificates and he went to Wolverhampton and waited more than four hours to arrange the evening. The original caption was: 'Andy Williams hands over a cycling proficiency certificate to six-year-old Daren Wise (right), watched by, from left, Jordan Jukes (9), Michelle Murray (14), Andrew Smith (13), Darren MacDonald (15), and Philip Parker (11).'
On October 27, 1983, six Shropshire youngsters were presented with their cycling proficiency certificates by international singer Andy Williams. The unusual presentation was at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, and was arranged by Corporal Ron Sowtus of COD Donnington - the youngsters were all children of servicemen stationed at the garrison. It was his idea to break away from the usual presentations of cycling proficiency certificates and he went to Wolverhampton and waited more than four hours to arrange the evening. The original caption was: 'Andy Williams hands over a cycling proficiency certificate to six-year-old Daren Wise (right), watched by, from left, Jordan Jukes (9), Michelle Murray (14), Andrew Smith (13), Darren MacDonald (15), and Philip Parker (11).'
The M54 during construction. This is the Tong to Telford section. The picture was published in January 1983 and the caption read: 'A view of the section of the motorway already completed. It should be open to traffic later this year.'
The M54 during construction. This is the Tong to Telford section. The picture was published in January 1983 and the caption read: 'A view of the section of the motorway already completed. It should be open to traffic later this year.'