Tributes to ex-Willenhall Town player who was pub licensee
Tributes were today paid to a former Willenhall Town FC player who once scored in a game against Arsenal and ran several pubs in Wolverhampton and Staffordshire.
Father-of-two Ian Wells, who played centre forward, died last Saturday aged 48. His brother and former teammates have described him as as a popular and well-respected man who will be sorely missed.
Mr Wells and his brother David both played for the Lockmen at different times in the 1980s and they played together for Gresley Rovers and Wolverhampton Sunday league side Marstons.
He joined Hereford United from West Midlands League side Harrison in the summer of 1985.
Mr Wells, who grew up in Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, was at Edgar Street until 1987.
He made 71 appearances and scored 19 times for Hereford United in all competitions.
His most memorable goal involved him scoring against Arsenal in the Milk Cup in 1985. The former Parkfield Comprehensive School pupil started playing non-league football following a series of groin injuries. He ran several pubs in Wolverhampton, including The Merry Hill, and was licensee at The Greyhound in Lichfield before moving to Greece.
His 45-year-old brother, from Kingswinford, said he was also a keen golfer.
The father-of-one said: "He was a character and a man's man."
Bosses at Willenhall Town FC have also paid tribute to him.
Josh Skidmore, joint manager, said: "Ian was a great centre forward, and was a big part of the successful Marstons side."
He leaves behind two sons, Aidan, 22, and Sam, 15.
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