I live in Nottingham now, but used to have a season ticket on the south bank/Jack Harris stand. I did not have the good fortune to meet Billy, but two issues of respect are prevalent in my mind. Firstly, I am pleased that Wolves built a stand in his honour whilst he was still alive. Unfortunately some football clubs seem to only see fit to honour their heroes posthumously. Secondly, I recall the impeccable silence observed by the Tranmere Rovers fans at our first home game after Billy's death. It is quite feasible to imagine some clubs failing to perform this simple act of respect. Thanks to Tranmere Rovers football club and their fans for their model behaviour on that day.

NEIL EVERITT Nottingham


Billy's mother – Aunt Annie to me – was my father's sister. We lived in Birmingham, and used to visit Billy's family in Ironbridge and they would come to see us in Brum. I have lovely childhood memories of us going swimming and fishing in the River Severn. I remember Billy giving me a ride on his merry-go-round which consisted of an old type turntable which he kept under his bed.The fact that we could sit on it and be turned round indicates the age we must have been. I can confirm that as a youngster he always answered to the name of Bill with, to my recollection, only his Aunt Annie calling him Billy.

When playing for Wolves youth team as a centre-forward, the local reporter nicknamed him, much to his dismay, "Snowy". He later happily accepted the name "Billy". The first match I ever saw him play for the Wolves first-team was as a centre-forward. He was fifteen, a year younger than Jimmy Mullen on the left wing. Stan Cullis and the older players had been called up for the forces, and the young Wolves team became known as 'Buckley's Babes'. I am proud of my association with a man who became a legend in his own lifetime and who was never ever spoiled by his fame.

RON THOMPSON Kings Norton, Birmingham


Billy was my dad George's cousin. Unfortunately he died last year at 64, but I know he would have been interested in the book you are writing. I can remember as a child, him telling me about Billy the footballer and he took a keen interest in his career. On his behalf, thank you for what you are doing.

WENDY GREEN (ne้ Thompson)


My only experience of meeting Billy Wright is after losing at Derby in the early 90's. My Father and I stopped to talk to him about what was going wrong at the club as Billy was a director by then. He had an excellent understanding of the game, and was diplomatic enough to make no dishonourable comments. When I heard he had died – we were away at Sunderland that day – I was very upset. I felt privileged to have met such a great ambassador not only for Wolves, but England too.

CLAIRE EVANS shewolf@btinternet.com


I worked for The Football League as an Assessor, looking at the match officials. I took a colleague from work, Peter Hayhurst, and his eight-year-old son, David, to a game at Molineux. Whilst sitting in the lounge before the game Billy came to talk to us and became interested in young David's knowledge of football. The question then arose, "How good are you?" Billy then left us, but within a minute had returned with a ball and signalled for us to follow him. Down the stairs we went, past the dressing rooms and on to the pitch where we all had a lesson in ball control just minutes before the game was due to start. It was a never to be forgotten moment for all of us. Sadly, a few months after this Billy passed away, and that experience became an even more precious memory.

FRANK PARDOE Harley Warren Worcester


Billy truly was "My Hero", and will remain so. I have , in my posession, a copy of his book,"Football is my Passport", bought for my 13th birthday by my mother ( I am now 56), and I will always treasure that. What a revelation when measured against todays players. It was a remarkable insight to the man so nearly lost to the game, when Major Frank Buckley thought he was too small to make the grade. He truly was one of the great players of all time. He was not cautioned once throughout his distinguished career. That record speaks volumes for his fairness and sportsmanship. Let's hope "The Wolves" will soon be back in the top division, where they belong, and so help to keep the memories of this great man alive.

BILL NEW, Didcot, Oxon


In 1956 we lived in Germany where my father was serving with the R.A.F. My mother went into the Military maternity hospital in early January where my sister, Melinda, was born. The nurse looking after my Mother said she was a Wolves fan and my Mother said, "I use the same bus as Billy. I'll write to him and get his autograph." Not only did he send his autograph – he also sent tickets for the England vs. West Germany international to be staged in occupied Berlin the following May! My father, a pilot, wangled a flight for himself and the nurse and went to the game. England won the match with a wonder goal from Duncan Edwards. As an Albion fan my father gave a light-hearted boo when Billy touched the ball only to be hit in the ribs by the elbow of a stout German, who looked him in the eye and said "Billy Wright ist sehr gut", a lesson Dad never forgot.

ROGER PHILLIPS (Stan Cullis Stand) Foxton Leicestershire
PS Melinda is a Season Ticket holder as well.


7 TRIBUTES

BACK TO THE TOP

RETURN TO THE MENU PAGE

PLACE YOUR BOOK ORDER HERE