Post by PureOldGold on Aug 17, 2007 14:38:09 GMT -1
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Billy Wright CBE
Billy Wright, CBE (6 February 1924 – 3 September 1994).
Born William Ambrose Wright in Ironbridge, Shropshire, he played in the wing-half and other defensive positions. Billy was the first ever player to represent his country a hundred times. He captained England during their campaigns at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup finals.
His association with Wolves began in 1934 when he was taken on as a member of their ground staff; he made his first-team debut in 1939, becoming club captain soon after the Second World War. With him they won the First Division title three times (1954, 1958 and 1959) as well as the FA Cup in 1949. During his 541 appearances for Wolves and his 105 games for England, his disciplinary record was second to none — he was never cautioned or sent off by any referee. Of his 105 International appearances, 90 were as captain (an all time record shared with Bobby Moore); 70 were consecutive games.
He retired as a player in 1959 and was awarded the CBE soon after. He became manager of Arsenal in 1962, but was unable to bring any success to the club; Arsenal never finished higher than seventh under Wright, and after a poor 1965–66 season — where Arsenal finished 14th and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers (who finished bottom of the First Division) — Wright was dismissed. Wright left management and later became a television pundit and Head of Sport for ATV and Central Television. He also joined the Board of Directors at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wright became a minor media personality, and his marriage to Joy Beverley of the Beverley Sisters (at a time long before the era of footballers being known for having celebrity girlfriends) was one of the most successful showbiz marriages. Wright was made an inaugural inductee of the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of his impact on the English game.
Wright was named the Midlands' greatest footballer by BBC Midlands Today following a public vote in May 2007. He died from stomach cancer in 1994, aged 70.
Stan Cullis a close 2nd.
Billy Wright CBE
Billy Wright, CBE (6 February 1924 – 3 September 1994).
Born William Ambrose Wright in Ironbridge, Shropshire, he played in the wing-half and other defensive positions. Billy was the first ever player to represent his country a hundred times. He captained England during their campaigns at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup finals.
His association with Wolves began in 1934 when he was taken on as a member of their ground staff; he made his first-team debut in 1939, becoming club captain soon after the Second World War. With him they won the First Division title three times (1954, 1958 and 1959) as well as the FA Cup in 1949. During his 541 appearances for Wolves and his 105 games for England, his disciplinary record was second to none — he was never cautioned or sent off by any referee. Of his 105 International appearances, 90 were as captain (an all time record shared with Bobby Moore); 70 were consecutive games.
He retired as a player in 1959 and was awarded the CBE soon after. He became manager of Arsenal in 1962, but was unable to bring any success to the club; Arsenal never finished higher than seventh under Wright, and after a poor 1965–66 season — where Arsenal finished 14th and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers (who finished bottom of the First Division) — Wright was dismissed. Wright left management and later became a television pundit and Head of Sport for ATV and Central Television. He also joined the Board of Directors at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wright became a minor media personality, and his marriage to Joy Beverley of the Beverley Sisters (at a time long before the era of footballers being known for having celebrity girlfriends) was one of the most successful showbiz marriages. Wright was made an inaugural inductee of the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002 in recognition of his impact on the English game.
Wright was named the Midlands' greatest footballer by BBC Midlands Today following a public vote in May 2007. He died from stomach cancer in 1994, aged 70.
Stan Cullis a close 2nd.
;D 
