VICKY WRIGHT PRESENTS
THE BILLY WRIGHT STORY
Our Billy
William Ambrose Wright CBE
Born 6th Feb
1924
Died 3rd September 1994
Whole career at Wolves.
1st Footballer in the world to get 100 caps for his country.
Still holds the record for 90 consecutive appearances as Captain for his country.
Three League Championships
1954,58,59
Footballer of the year
1956/57
541 Games for Wolves
105 for England
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The first golden boy of English football in the post-war era, Billy Wright set standards of excellence on and off the field that were aspired to and upheld by equally god-like successors such as Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore. Blessed with boundless enthusiasm, utter reliability and good looks, Wright was a target for hero worship even in the days before the influence of media became all powerful. If he would have been plying his trade today he would never have been off the front and back pages of the tabloids.
LOVE MARRIAGE & FAMILY
Billy inadvertently became a media personality in 1958 after his marriage
to Joy Beverley of the Beverley Sisters.
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This occurred at a time long before the era of footballers being known
for having celebrity girlfriends.
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A TRUE LOVE STORY
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Billy married his beloved Joy in July 1958
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Baby Victoria was born the following year, 6 days before his
incredible 100th appearance for ENGLAND at Wembley, when they beat
Scotland 1-0
The Statue
In 1993, when Wolves redeveloped the Molineux Stadium, the main stand was named the Billy Wright Stand. The club also commissioned a 15ft high bronze statue of Billy that was erected three years later, outside the stand, in front of the club’s main entrance. Sadly, Billy never lived to see this wonderful tribute to him. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1994 at the age of 70 and Wolverhampton came to a standstill for his funeral as fans paid their respects in the pouring rain. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered on the pitch at Molineux.
The stand and the statue might be the materialistic symbols signifying that the club’s favourite son will always be remembered. But just the name of this footballing hero is guaranteed to moisten the eye of any Wolves fan.
Billy's love for the game was always something that he shared. He was a great player, an amazing captain and I felt really honoured to follow in his footsteps in earning 100 caps for my country.
David Beckham
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Tributes
I feel proud and humbled to be following in the footsteps of the great Billy Wright in captaining Wolverhampton Wanderers . His presence can be felt the minute you walk through the doors at Molineux.
Conor Coady
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When Billy took off his England shirt with the Three Lions, I fully expected to see three lions tattooed on his heart.