Billy Wright pub ready to open in Wolverhampton

The iconic black-and-white photograph of him in his playing days now proudly hangs above the door – the pub named after Wolves legend Billy Wright is finally ready to open.

Brewery Amber Taverns will reopen the former Koi Bar in Princess Street, Wolverhampton, as The Billy Wright on Monday following a £360,000 makeover.

The launch, attended by a host of former players, will have added significance as it marks the 57th anniversary of the day Billy led his side to a stirring 3-2 victory over the then Hungarian giants Honved in 1954.

The game, which took place at Molineux, pitted the English top-flight champions against a team containing seven of the revered Hungarian side, which had demolished England 6-3 at Wembley the previous year.

Although it was only a friendly, the match was billed by some as a battle for the right to be called the world's best club side.

The opening date for the pub had been set one day earlier until Peter Creed, secretary of the Wolves Former Players Association, informed the company's operations director Gary Roberts of the significance of the following day.

The Billy Wright pub has created around 15 new bar staff jobs and the signs featuring the player's name will be decorated in black with old gold lettering.

The picture of Billy on the overhanging sign also includes the years of his birth and death.

The building has also undergone an eight-week refurbishment to open out the rear of the property.