Bert unveils shrine to great career

Wolves great Bert Williams has opened his doors to his shrine of footballing memorabilia.

The 89-year-old goalkeeping legend, who has been invited to Wembley for today's friendly against Slovenia as England's oldest surviving World Cup player, has dedicated two rooms of his house in Shifnal to parade his momentoes, featuring over 180 photographs of his glittering career with Wolves and England.

See more pics of Bert and current goalie Matt Murray in our gallery below.

"I've got 180 photographs and hundreds of scrap books - I get so much pleasure from them because they bring the memories flooding back," said Williams.

Banquet

"I cherish them and when I look back, I'm proud of what we achieved." Many of the pictures feature Williams in action, including the famous occasion in 1949 when he pulled off save after save in a 2-0 win over world champions Italy to be crowned 'El Gattone' - 'The Cat', a name that stuck for the rest of his career.

League championship and FA Cup winner Williams, whose 420 League and Cup appearances for Wolves was a club record for many years, postponed having two teeth out yesterday so he could attend the banquet at which he will be a VIP guest of sponsors Nationwide at today's game, the first he has attended at the new Wembley.

"I didn't want to not be able to enjoy the food, so I thought I'd have it done another time," he said.

Today's visit to the capital comes 54 years after Williams's last visit as a player to Wembley, when he kept goal for England in a 7-2 thrashing of Scotland, although he has been back as a spectator for a 3-1 friendly win over Germany.

Football legent Bert Williams (far left) pictured with the England squad before flying out to Brazil.

Former Wolves and England goalkeeper Bert Williams and Wolves current keeper Matt Murray at Molineux.

Former Wolves and England goalkeeper Bert Williams chats with Wolves current keeper Matt Murray in the Molineux dressing room.