Billy Wright Biography

William Ambrose ‘Billy’ Wright CBE 1924 – 1994

Former England captain Billy Wright first arrived on the football scene at Molineux in 1939 and made 490 appearances for Wolverhampton Wanderers over the next 20 years. He made his England debut in 1946 and went on to make 105 international appearances for his country, 90 of them as captain. Billy was the first player in the world to win over 100 caps and he was never booked in any of the games he played.

Billy was a great man and arguably Britain’s first football superstar, becoming a household name for both his exploits in the game and his marriage to Joy, one of the much loved Beverley Sisters.

The following former footballers that played with Billy are attending the ceremony:

• Malcolm Finlayson made 203 appearances in goal for Wolves between 1956 and 1964 and gained two First Division Championship Medals in Wolves1957-58 and 1958-59 successes. He was a member of the Wolves side which won the FA Cup in 1960 against Blackburn Rovers. Malcolm is Chairman of Wolves Former Players Association which was created in 1988 by the Founder Chairman Billy Wright CBE as a tribute to team mate Jimmy Mullen who sadly died in October 1987.
• Bill Slater CBE OBE made 339 appearances for Wolves and scored 25 goals between 1952 and 1963. He joined the club as an amateur but became a part-time professional in 1954. He gained three First Division Championship Medals in Wolves 1953-54, 57-58 and 58-59 successes. Bill captained Wolves to their FA Cup victory over Blackburn Rovers in 1960 and was capped for England 21 times at amateur level played 12 times for the Full England team. He was voted Footballer of the Year 1960, and is a Committee Member of Wolves Former Players Association.
• Roy Swinbourne made 230 appearances for Wolves and scored 114 goals between 1949 and 1955. He gained a First Division Championship Medal in Wolves 1953-54 success and scored two goals in Wolves famous 3-2 victory against Honved in 1954. Roy scored a hat-trick in Wolves record away First Division win against Cardiff City September 1955. Unfortunately after making 14 appearances and scoring 17 goals in the first half of the 1955-56 season Roy suffered a cruel knee injury when he tried to jump over a posse of cameramen sat near the goal. He never recovered full fitness and was forced to retire in the summer of 1957 just before his 28th birthday after a tortuous 12 months following a cartilage operation. Roy is a Committee Member of Wolves Former Players Association.

• George Showell was born in Bilston and made 218 appearances for Wolves in defence between 1954 and 1965. He was a member of the Wolves side which won the FA Cup in 1960 against Blackburn Rovers at Wembley. He played in Wolves First Division Championship sides in their 1957-58 and 1958-59 successes.
• Bobby Mason was born in Tipton and made 173 appearances for Wolves as an inside forward scoring 54 goals between 1955 and 1962. He gained two First Division Championship Medals in Wolves 1957-58 success.

Peter Creed, Honorary Secretary of Wolves Former Players Association since it was created by Billy Wright in January 1988, will also be attending.

Other trams that have been named:

The first eight names were chosen by the seven metropolitan districts that make up the west Midlands. The names the local councils chose are as follows:

• Jeff Astle – Sandwell MBC
• Ray Lewis – Wolverhampton CC
• Sister Dora – Walsall MBC
• Agenoria – Dudley MBC
• Theresa Stewart – Birmingham CC
• Sir Frank Whittle - Coventry CC
• Joseph Chamberlain – Birmingham CC
• Jim Eames – Birmingham CC

The remaining trams were named by the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, Travel Midland Metro and the Light Rail Transit Authority - Alan Garner, Anthony Nolan, Gerwyn John and JS Webb respectively.