Terry Wharton still keeping Ron Flowers trim half a century on

It was just like the old days as Wolves legend Ron Flowers and his former team mate Terry Wharton returned to the salon they officially opened in 1962.

They posed for a photograph just like they had half a century ago with Terry cutting the hair of his team mate.

"Its great to see him again but I hope he makes a better job of it than he did last time," joked Ron before adding: "I notice I have got more hair than Terry these days."

Also on hand was the former chairman of Chubb Locks Derek Langley – one of the most loyal customers of the city centre salon in Lichfield Street that started life as The Sportsman and is now called The Basement.

The 78-year-old, of Codsall, said: "I was told that this was the place to get a decent hair cut 46 years ago and have been coming ever since." The barbers shop was launched by Graham Guest, 71, of Cranmoor, Perton, and Brian Maddox, 72 of The Heronry, Wightwick, whose partnership went on to own a chain of similar premises throughout the Black Country. They had a host of sports stars among customers as well as performers appearing at the nearby Grand Theatre.

Mr Guest, who retired three years ago as the salon changed its name and was taken over by Tina Martin, said: "It is great to be back. I miss all the clients and the banter.

"We were successful because we were good at our jobs and had good staff but I have to confess there is no way I thought on the day we opened that the business would still be going strong 50 years later. It shows that we were obviously doing something right."

Mr Maddox added: "We succeeded because we never rushed the job. We always ensured that our customers left with a decent haircut." Miss Martin, who started working at the salon 36 years ago, said: "It is nice to be in charge and to have a chance to put my own stamp on it. This is a remarkable landmark for the business and there is no end in sight. I still enjoy coming to work and have no wish to change that any time soon."