Worldwide tributes to The Nipper

A former Walsall and West Bromwich Albion footballer, nicknamed The Nipper because of his speed and goalscoring talent, has died aged 84.

Harold Peace is best known for a spell at Walsall Football Club where he played alongside former Wolves legend and England goalkeeper Bert Williams. During his time at Walsall the centre forward became a firm favourite among the fans because of his goalscoring record.

He was known on the terraces as "the nipper" because he was short and speedy enabling him to evade defenders and score goals. He was forced to retire from the professional game in 1946 after a knee injury.

Mr Peace started his career at Darlaston before playing a handful of games for West Bromwich Albion. Following his injury he continued to play non-league football for Hednesford Town before finishing his playing days back at Darlaston.

He also worked as a washing machine engineer for Darlaston firm Wilkinson Mitchell's, travelling all over the world as part of his job. Born in Darlaston in 1923, he married his wife Nora in 1946. They had two children Brian and Carol and were living in Willenhall at the time of his death.

Mr Peace's son Brian today paid tribute to his father who died on December 29 following a short illness. He said: "I will remember my father as a true gentleman and a very special man. The whole family has been touched by the number of people who have contacted us since his death to pass on their condolences.

"They include messages from as far away as Canada, New York and New Zealand from people who met him through his job as a washing machine engineer."

Mr Peace's funeral is at All Saints Church, Walsall Road, Darlaston, on January 14 at 1.45pm. His family have requested no flowers, preferring donations to be made to Macmillan Cancer Trust.