| One
of the many memories I have of Billy Wright was on the
day when Wolves were playing Cardiff at Wolverhampton. I
was standing at the Molineux end and Wolves were beating
Cardiff 10-1 when the ball went out for a goal kick. The
Wolves goalkeeper Malcolm Finlayson was taking his time,
as there was only five minutes left, when Billy came
running up and shouted, "Get a move on ... we
haven't won yet!" This proved what a good
professional he was, giving 110% and still playing to the
whistle. I only wish there were players like him in
today's teams. DERRICK GRIFFIN Sutton Coldfield I was nine years of age when Wolves won the FA Cup in 1949. One friend had a TV (a nine-inch screen, not colour ). A crowd of us watched the match at his house and had to ignore scrolling and fuzzy pictures. My father was still in the Fire Service following the War, based in Red Lion Street in those days. He was on duty for Wolves Victory Parade at the Town Hall where the team were due to present the trophy on the balcony in North Street on the Sunday morning. My dad took me to the rear entrance steps of the Town Hall about two hours before the team were due and said, 'Stay there, don't move away.' The steps were in the enclosed car park used by the police and fire service; the fire engines were kept locked away in a large garage under the sleeping quarters. I could hear the thousands of people cheering – the noise level was intense – I thought I was 'missing out'. (I now know that over 100,000 people were in the town centre that day – a sea of gold and black -- and rattles!). After a long wait when I had thought about going to the front of the building the Don Everall team coach (in Wolves colours) stopped at the archway in Red Lion Street – one by one the players and manager Stan Cullis came through the archway and started walking over towards the steps. I couldn't believe this was really happening. Billy Wright led the way clutching the Cup. As he walked up towards me, I reached out and touched it . Billy immediately looked 'shocked' and then realised I was making the best of the opportunity -- he smiled at me and continued up the steps. When I looked up I was amazed to see the Mayor and other dignitaries had been standing behind me waiting to greet the team. They all shook hands and disappeared though the doorway into the Town Hall. I then made my way to the front of the building to see the team appear on the balcony in North Street – it was all unbelievable—all my heroes: Bert `The Cat' Williams, Little Johnny Hancocks, Jimmy `the best winger ever' Mullen and, of course, the Wolves and England captain Billy Wright. All my friends kept asking me if it was true I had touched the cup! The Civic Banquet was held in the Civic Hall on the Monday and after this event my dad came home and said 'here's a momento' – it was the Table Menu which I have treasured for over 50 years. GRAHAM NIGHTINGALE Compton, Wolverhampton |