Aston Villa: Bridgnorth road named after former star
A road has been named after former Aston Villa and England footballer Gerry Hitchens.
The road naming ceremony was attended by the football legend's family in Highley, near Bridgnorth, where he grew up.
Hitchens Way is located on the town's new Taylor Wimpey housing development Hugesleah Place.
Gerry's eldest son Marcus Hitchens said his father would be 'gobsmacked' if he knew there was a road named after him.
Even though the family no longer live in the area, Marcus remembers visiting Highley at the end of football seasons.
Mr Hitchen, said: "My dad would have been a proud man to have a road named after him, but at the same time would be gobsmacked.
"Wherever we were, as soon as the end of the season came we would pack up and come back for two or three weeks and he always made a beeline for Highley, where he grew up as soon as we came back. He had very fond memories of his time here in Highley.
"At the age of 15 he was working down the pits, but he had a couple of decent feet on him and was able to go and do other things.
"This road naming is incredible, I can't believe it really, it's lovely. I'm very proud to be here."
The family, who now live in North Wales, were also in the county for a concert in the town at the weekend.
Hitchens played centre forward for a number of clubs throughout his career, including Aston Villa, Cardiff City and the Kidderminster Harriers.
He played for England in the 1962 World Cup in Chile and won a total of seven caps, scoring five goals.
He died in April 1983, aged 48 in Clwyd, Wales on the border of Shropshire.
