Wolves players make Hilda's 100th birthday with signed photograph

So she was delighted on her 100th birthday to receive not only a letter from the Queen, but also a signed photograph from the team.

She celebrated the occasion at Lime Tree Court Care Home in Bilston with her family.

Manager Julie Wrighton said: "We contacted the football club to see if there was anything they could do as a surprise for Hilda's birthday.

"One of the team's coaches went around the training ground and got the players to sign the photograph for Hilda's birthday.

"She was absolutely delighted and so overwhelmed with the gesture – and all of today's festivities.

"She has had a wonderful time celebrating her 100th birthday and we are thrilled to have shared it with her."

Hilda was born in Rochdale, but spent her childhood growing up in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, with younger siblings June, Elsie, Vera and Joe.

She spent most of her working life making car components at the Sankey Manor factory in Bilston.

During the Second World War she met her husband-to-be, Frank, who was a tank driver with the Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. The devoted couple, who lived in Wolverhampton, had four sons, Alan, Terence and Maurice, who all still live in the city, and Michael, who died two years ago.

Mrs Tully, who also has 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, said: "Having such a close family is what has kept me going – and a glass of whisky every night."

Mrs Tully has always been an avid Wolves supporter and used to take her sons to see the club's games.

Her son Alan, aged 68, said: "Mum loved football and took us all as kids to watch Wolves. Dad wasn't interested in sport but mum loved it."

He added: "She was very vocal at matches."

When asked about fond memories from his childhood, he said: "There are just so many. She was always there when you wanted her and we never wanted for anything. There was nothing you couldn't tell her – she loved her children."

Speaking about his parents Alan added: "They were a very loving couple and lived for each other. They loved 'old time' dancing and danced three or four times a week. They loved a good knees up and were a very sociable couple."

After the war Frank worked as a bus driver and later in life he was a foundry-man. He died in 1975 at the age of 65 after suffering with lung disease.

Mrs Tully's sons held a party for her on Friday at a social club in Bilston.

Using the internet they tracked down some of her long lost friends, who made surprise appearances, along with her only surviving sibling June.