Inspiration is praised by Bert Williams leisure centre boss
Staff at the leisure centre which bears his name are among those who have paid tribute to Bert Williams.
The Bert Williams Leisure Centre in Bilston stands on the spot that the Wolves, Walsall and England goalkeeping great used to play football as a boy.
Alison Compton, Manager of the Bert Williams Leisure Centre, said: "Bert Williams was a true sporting legend.
"He did an enormous amount to raise the profile of Bilston and Wolverhampton both on and off the football field and we were honoured that he allowed us to name the Bert Williams Leisure Centre after him.
"I was delighted to meet Bert on a number of occasions – he was a real gentleman, very down to earth and a great inspiration to everyone who met him."
At the opening of the centre back in 2011, Mr Williams, who came from Bradley, said having the centre named after him was the icing on the cake of his illustrious career.
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Meanwhile, Shifnal councillor Gordon Tonkinson has a special reason to remember Bert Williams – he used to clean his boots.
Councillor Tonkinson was part of the ground staff – the name given to young apprentices at football clubs – during the 1950s. Part of his duties were to keep the boots of the players clean, and he became friends with Mr Williams. Councillor Tonkinson, 75, said it was great to be so close to Wolves during the era that saw them regularly win leagues and cups.
As the ex-England international lived in Shifnal, their friendship lasted throughout the years. Councillor Tonkinson, of Damson Lane Farm, Sheriffhales, said: "From the ages of 12 to 16 I was on the books at Wolves and Bert and Billy Wright would stay after training to coach us young kids."
