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Billy Wright – An Extraordinary Footballer

© John Neill

I am a proud Scot and, as a Glaswegian, I am fanatical about one topic above all others and that is football (soccer for any readers from the USA). In my native Glasgow the world famous rivalry between Rangers and Celtic overshadows the only truly great football team in Glasgow and that of course is Partick Thistle.

I have been a supporter of Partick Thistle since the late 1950's when my father would take me to Firhill and even though I attend few games since moving to England in 1986 there is no other team I can feel so deeply about. My move to England opened my eyes to the fact that there were a few decent English players and I enjoy watching some of the better teams on TV. However I have to admit that I was almost unaware that my adopted home was close to the home of the greatest English footballer of all time.

In Ironbridge on the 6th February 1924 one William Ambrose Wright was born and English football would never be the same again. Although he made his debut during the war it is in the post-war period that the name of Billy Wright blossomed and he became a colossus of English football playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers for his entire career.

Wright was a defender of the highest quality and set records that few players can equal. Between 1947 and 1959 Billy Wright played 105 times for England. He was the first player in the world to play over 100 times for his country and captained his country a record 90 times including three World Cups in 1950, 1954 and 1958.

For me the most remarkable statistic in his remarkable career was the fact that he was never booked or sent off. For any player that is remarkable but for a defender it is incredible and is a testament to his rare ability.

When he died in 1994 the centre of Wolverhampton came to a halt for his funeral and his reputation is as high today as it was in his playing days. Below are a number of sites which tell some of the details of this amazing man.

Details of his career

http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Tea...

Photograph of his birthplace in Ironbridge

http://homepage.dtn.ntl.com/alex812/75th...

The Wolves Site - details of his career

http://www.thewolvessite.co.uk/bwright.h...

Once again this year my wife and I are lucky enough to be going on vacation for Christmas, this year to Portugal. I am looking forward to improved weather, as here in Shropshire it has been very wet for the last few weeks. Overall this is a quiet time in the county but there will be plenty to look forward to in 2003. I would like to wish everyone a merry and peaceful Christmas and a happy and rewarding New Year.