Dave Wagstaffe's partner: We are overwhelmed by fans' support
The partner of Wolves legend Dave Wagstaffe says she and her family have been overwhelmed by tributes and messages of support as she told movingly how he died in her arms.
Tributes for Wagstaffe poured in from around the world with football fans and ex-team mates all praising the winger, who died at his home in Tettenhall on Tuesday following a battle with cancer.
His partner for more than 20 years Val Williams said it has been awful for the family since his death but the support from fans has given them comfort.
Miss Williams singled out Wolves for praise where Wagstaffe played 404 games and scored 31 goals between 1964 and 1976.
The club is due to hold a tribute before the team's first home fixture of the season on Saturday against Gillingham.
Waggy's death came hours before Kenny Jackett's side were defeated in the first round of the Capital One League Cup and the team wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
Miss Williams said: "Dave had his heart attack in April and the doctors couldn't understand why he wasn't getting better, and then it was discovered he had cancer. When we were told there was nothing they could do he said to me he wanted to go home.
"I've been caring for him for the last three weeks then on Tuesday he asked me to hold him. I did as he asked and before I knew it he died right there in my arms. We knew he may go soon but weren't expecting him to go so fast. It has been awful."
Miss Williams, aged 59, said she had read tributes from the former team mates of Wagstaffe and supporters and said she can't thank them enough: "They're just wonderful, we're so overwhelmed with the support and the kind words from everyone. Wolves have been brilliant with our family. We're going to start making plans for a funeral this week.
"We'll have to make sure it's a big church because I'm sure all of his friends, family and former team mates will want to give him a good send off."
After retiring from football, Wagstaffe ran a pub in Blackpool, before returning to Wolverhampton to run The Butler's Arms in Bushbury, Castlecrofts' Old Wulfrunians' Club and Hednesford Ex-Servicemen's Club. He later ran Waggy's bar in the Stan Cullis Stand at his beloved Molineux.
He leaves behind children Scott, Gary and Mandy, and step-children Claire, James and Ian.
