Wolves' Jez Moxey and Steve Morgan pay tribute to Molineux hero Bert Williams

"Bert was not only a fantastic footballer both for club and country, but also a true gentleman who loved Wolves," said chairman Morgan.

"As a young football fan who used to read about the achievements of that all-conquering Wolves team of the 1950s, it was an honour and a privilege to have been able to meet Bert on so many occasions since I arrived at the club in 2007. His footballing ability speaks for itself, but there was so much more to Bert than just his career alone.

"He remained heavily involved with Wolves and the community after his retirement, and the fundraising he has carried out since losing his wife was incredible when you consider his advancing years.

"Legend is a word which may be over-used these days, but in the case of Bert Williams it simply doesn't do him justice. He will be sadly missed at Molineux, but will never, ever be forgotten."

Williams was one of the first inductees to the club's hall of fame on an emotional night at Molineux in 2009.

Wolves CEO Moxey said: "When you work for a club like Wolves, with all its illustrious history, it's a privilege to meet some of the players who once helped make the club one of the very best in the world.

"And Bert was one of those who was right at the very top of that list. Such a humble character despite all his successes, Bert not only achieved so much during his time as a goalkeeper for Wolves, he gave so much back to the club after his career came to an end.

"The Wolves and football family are united in sadness at the news.

"However, nowhere more keenly will this loss be felt than with his family and friends, and everyone at Wolves sends them our sincere condolences at this time."

Former Wolves striker Ted Farmer described Bert as 'a wonderful man' who helped him during his early years on the team. "He was the last of the icons really," said Farmer. "He was a great goalkeeper in a great team. He was also a fantastic mentor to all the younger players.

"Bert was a wonderful man – but a shrewd businessman, having really been one of the first sportsmen to go into the sports industry with a sports shop in Wolverhampton and a leisure centre in Bilston. He was a real gentleman. This is a very, very sad day indeed. He was world famous.

"Bert always helped me out when I was a teenage player at Wolves. When I first got on to the team, I was very fast and fit but I was very young and my ball control was a bit suspect. I'll always remember Bert, Stan Cullis and Bill Shorthouse taking me down to Castlecroft to practise my ball control on afternoon. It eventually paid off, but Bert was always the kind of man who would encourage you to keep working hard. He would always say 'keep trying and it will come'. There's a great team up in heaven now."

The Football Association issued a statement today which read: "The Football Association would like to express its deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and fans at this sad time."