Tributes Paid To Wolves Legend
Tributes have been paid to legendary former Wolves defender Bill Shorthouse, who died on Saturday at the age of 86.
Bill, nicknamed 'The Baron' by his team-mates, made 376 appearances during a lengthy spell at Molineux as an almost permanent fixture in the most successful Wolves team in the club's history.
Having played in all the FA Cup fixtures when Wolves won the trophy in 1949, Bill missed just two games of the historic 1953/54 season when the club claimed the top flight league title for the first time.
He also featured in the pioneering floodlit nights of the 1950's when Wolves took on European giants such as Moscow Spartak, Honved and Moscow Dynamo at Molineux.
Bill, born and bred in Bilston, was vice-captain to Billy Wright during his time at Wolves, and, after bringing his playing career to an end after a 3-0 win against Birmingham in front of 44, 191 fans in 1956, moved into coaching.
He gained a fine reputation working with young players, briefly coaching the England Youth Team in 1970-71 and also serving in a similar capacity with
Aside from his football career Bill served in the Army and was involved in the Normandy D-day landings.
His former team-mates have today paid tribute to Bill, starting with striker Roy Swinbourne, who was particularly grateful for the defender helping him to settle in at Molineux.
"From the age of 16 when I came to Wolves from Yorkshire, he took me under his wing and helped me to settle in at
"My wife Betty and I had a very close and happy relationship with Bill and his wife Betty.
"Bill's death is, for us, a very great sadness and loss and we send our deepest condolences to the family."
Former Wolves keeper Malcolm Finlayson, now Chairman of Wolves' Former Players Association, added: "Bill was a true hero for his country during the Normandy D-day landings in the Second World War.
"His courage was also reflected in the way he played for Wolves.
"He was a much-admired defender and his tackling was uncompromising.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy and thoughts to Bill's wife Betty and all the family on behalf of all his former team-mates and Wolves' Former Players Association."
Bert Williams, Wolves legendary keeper, actually went to the same school as Bill, St Martin's in Bradley.
"After we won the FA Cup in 1949 we took it back to the school to show all the pupils," Bert recalls.
"Bill was a good defender to play behind, he was straight-forward with no frills but very hard and gave everything he'd got for the Wolves.
"With Bill you always knew exactly what he was going to do - he should have played for England.
"We all knew him as 'The Baron'."
Bill also played a key role in Wolves' Former Players Association.
The association's Honorary Secretary Peter Creed said: "Bill was a founder member of our association which was created by Billy Wright in 1988.
"He was a very popular member of the Association who gave us great support, and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Betty and their family."
Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey joined the tributes for the club stalwart.
"Bill played a key role in that hugely successful Wolves team and as a result is fondly remembered by fans of all ages," said Jez.
"On behalf of everyone at Wolves, I would like to pass on our deepest condolences to his wife Betty and their family."
Bill, who had been suffering from dementia, died at Orchard House Nursing Home in Penn Fields on Saturday evening.
He leaves wife Betty, two sons Paul and Nigel, four grandchildren and one great grandson.
Flags at Molineux are today flying at half-mast in honour of Bill's achievements.
