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Bert Williams: Memorial for Wolves and England goalkeeper | Bert Williams: Memorial for Wolves and England goalkeeper |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A public memorial service has taken place for ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers and England goalkeeper Bert Williams. | |
Williams, who had been the oldest surviving England international, died last month aged 93. | Williams, who had been the oldest surviving England international, died last month aged 93. |
Hundreds of mourners, including former England stars Gordon Banks and Ron Flowers, attended the ceremony at St Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton. | |
Williams made 420 appearances for the Midlands club. | |
Williams, who lived in Shifnal, Shropshire, won 24 caps for England and was part of the side that suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the United States in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. | Williams, who lived in Shifnal, Shropshire, won 24 caps for England and was part of the side that suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the United States in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. |
'Unbelievable skill' | 'Unbelievable skill' |
He was later was made an MBE for services to football and charity. | |
His son Paul Williams said his father's long life had been due to the "strict" exercise regime he maintained into old age. | |
People at the ceremony said they had fond memories of the player. | |
Carol Federico, 68, a former Wolves academy coach and schoolboy liaison officer, described Williams as "a legend". | Carol Federico, 68, a former Wolves academy coach and schoolboy liaison officer, described Williams as "a legend". |
"He remained a gentleman to the last... his integrity was fantastic," he said. | "He remained a gentleman to the last... his integrity was fantastic," he said. |
Gerald Turvy, 86, went to his first Wolves game in 1936 and still regularly attends matches at Molineux stadium. He met Williams at a book signing and said he was "very, very friendly." | Gerald Turvy, 86, went to his first Wolves game in 1936 and still regularly attends matches at Molineux stadium. He met Williams at a book signing and said he was "very, very friendly." |
The former keeper's skill was "unbelievable", he said. | The former keeper's skill was "unbelievable", he said. |
"He was small [for a goalkeeper] so he had to dive all over the place," Mr Turvy said. | "He was small [for a goalkeeper] so he had to dive all over the place," Mr Turvy said. |
The first hymn was Abide With Me which Reverend David Wright said was identified with the Football Association. | |
Wolverhampton Wanderers vice-president Rachel Heyhoe-Flint paid tribute to Williams and representatives from Walsall FC, the club he joined Wolves from after World War Two, attended the service. |