Wolves legend headed to Wembley

The 89-year-old former goalkeeper, who starred in the 1950 tournament in Brazil with Molineux team-mates Billy Wright and Jimmy Mullen, will be among the VIPs after being invited to the Slovenia friendly tomorrow by sponsors Nationwide.

He joked: "I just wish I was playing, not watching.

"The thing I remember most about the 1950 tournament was the camaraderie – some players were frightened of flying and being a big lad, Frank Swift used to sit Stan Mortensen on his knee, stick his hand up Stan's jumper and work him as a ventriloquist's dummy!

"I've never seen the new Wembley, except on TV. It looks very impressive, although I think they made a mistake taking the twin towers down."

Williams, who won 24 caps in total, achieved immortality when producing one of the best performances of his career in a 2-0 win over world champions Italy at Tottenham in 1949, when journalists nicknamed him 'Il Gattone' - The Cat - at White Hart Lane.

Wolves present-day goalkeeper Matt Murray, who has become a friend of Williams over the years, hopes is predecessor enjoys the experience.

He said: "Bert's a lovely guy. He's always been very supportive of me.

"It's interesting because Bert has told me before about playing for England and then I hear what's it like now from Joleon Lescott. It's certainly changed a great deal.

"I just hope Bert enjoys the day – I certainly hope I'm as nifty as he is when I'm at his age!"