Billy Wright facts for kids
Statue of Billy Wright outside Wolves' Molineux Stadium
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Ambrose Wright | ||
| Date of birth | 6 February 1924 | ||
| Place of birth | Ironbridge, Shropshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 3 September 1994 (aged 70) | ||
| Place of death | Barnet, London, England | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder (retired) | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1939-1959 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
| National team | |||
| 1946-1959 | England | ||
| Teams managed | |||
| 1962-1966 | Arsenal | ||
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Billy Wright was a legendary English football player. He is famous for playing his entire club career with Wolverhampton Wanderers. He also proudly captained the England national team for many years. Billy Wright was the first footballer in the world to play in 100 international matches for his country.
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Who Was Billy Wright?
William Ambrose Wright was born on February 6, 1924, in Ironbridge, Shropshire, England. From a young age, he showed a great talent for football. He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers as a young player in 1939.
Starting His Football Journey
Billy Wright began his career at Wolves just before World War II. During the war, official football leagues were paused. However, Billy still played in wartime matches, which helped him gain experience. He played as a midfielder, a position where he could help both defend and attack.
Playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers
After the war, Billy Wright became a key player for Wolverhampton Wanderers. He spent his entire professional club career, from 1939 to 1959, with Wolves. He played an amazing 490 league games for the club.
- He helped Wolves win the top English league, the Football League First Division, three times: in 1953–54, 1957–58, and 1958–59.
- He also led them to win the FA Cup in 1949. This was a very exciting time for the club and its fans.
Billy Wright was known for his strong leadership and fair play. He was a true legend at Molineux Stadium, the home of Wolves.
Leading England on the Field
Billy Wright also had an incredible international career playing for England. He made his debut for the national team in 1946. He quickly became a vital part of the squad.
- He was the captain of the England team for many years.
- He played in three FIFA World Cup tournaments: 1950, 1954, and 1958.
- Billy Wright was the first player in the world to reach 100 international caps (matches played for his country). He played a total of 105 games for England, scoring 3 goals.
His dedication and skill made him a national hero.
Life After Playing Football
After retiring as a player in 1959, Billy Wright continued to be involved in football. He became a manager, taking charge of Arsenal from 1962 to 1966.
Billy Wright passed away on September 3, 1994, at the age of 70. He is remembered as one of England's greatest ever footballers. A statue of him stands outside Wolves' Molineux Stadium, honoring his amazing career and contributions to the sport.
