Precious Memories Of Golden Couple

Following his ‘debut’ on here just over a month ago, David Harrison now follows up with a fascinating insight into a man who not only stood out as a hero to him – but to different members of his immediate family. No surprise there….Billy was an icon across the globe.

Billy Wright was a legend, not just to Wolves fans but for supporters and journalists all over the world who recognised his playing ability, leadership skills and undeniable reputation.

All these qualities and more were worshipped in a small council house in Tipton by my mum, Rene, who loved Billy both as a footballer and a personal heart-throb.

My sister, Lynn, and I inherited our support for Wolves from our grandad, Josh Brownhill, who always referred to them as ‘The Wanderers.’

Mum kept up the family tradition, especially with her hero-worship of William Ambrose. To my eternal embarrassment, she took it a ridiculous step further by dyeing the front of my hair blond as a tribute to Billy’s notable quiff. Needless to say, I became the laughing stock of my classmates at Tipton Grammar School.

In later years, Lynn moved to London and was visiting the David Lloyd Centre in Finchley one day when she noticed a very attractive lady in the refreshment area. It was Joy Beverley.

She couldn’t resist tentatively approaching her and telling her about Mum’s love for her late husband, Billy. Joy’s reply was simple and beautiful: “Your mum had wonderful taste.”

Joy subsequently wrote her a simple card carrying the message: “The last picture of my darling Billy at Molyneux (sic) when we officially opened the new Billy Wright Stand in his honour. In September, I am to unveil a magnificent statue of him, 9 feet tall! But, then, he always was!” She signed the card ‘Billy’s Joy’.

Long after I had moved into the wonderful world of sports journalism, I became chairman of the Midland Soccer Writers for a couple of years. My stint coincided with Billy’s retirement as head of sport at Central Television.

We decided to put on a retirement lunch for him and it was my job to raid the funds and choose a suitable gift. I found a beautiful oil painting of Ironbridge, complete with the iconic structure which overlooks Billy’s birthplace.

While putting together the final details of the lunch, I had cause to ring Billy’s home in North London. Joy answered and said: “Sorry Dave, he’s busy at the moment and will be a while. He’s mowing all the lawns.”

I thought: ‘Blimey, they must have a big place to have so many lawns.’ It turns out their house was adjacent to two properties – the homes of the two other Beverley sisters, twins Babs and Teddie. Billy clearly had his hands full in that marriage.

In later years, I became friendly with Vicky Wright, Billy and Joy’s daughter. She, sister Babette and cousin Sasha formed the singing group The Foxes and Vicky came to Molineux in more recent times to give talks about her dad.

She told me that the first time she came back to Wolverhampton by train, she stopped outside the university to ask the best way to the ground. Let her take up the story: “This man pointed me in the direction of the ground and towards the subway.

“I got 20 yards down the road, then, for some strange reason, went back to talk to this chap. I don’t know what made me do it. I told him who I was and he told me his name. It was Peter Knowles.

“He then said: ‘Your dad gave me a wonderful piece of advice when I was a Wolves player. He told me to remain humble and not be conceited. Sadly, I ignored what he said.'”

Vicky made several subsequent visits to Molineux and without fail would go to Billy’s statue and place a kiss on it. Sadly, she died in 2023, aged 63, but her memories and those of her wonderful dad will live on forever.

And she revealed a previously unknown fact…..Billy once danced with the Queen at Windsor Castle. They made ideal partners on the floor – a football king and a regal lady.