Watch: Road name honours famous Shropshire footballer Gerry Hitchens
A road in Shropshire has been named after former Aston Villa and England footballer Gerry Hitchens.
The football legend, who also went on to the play for Inter Milan during a stellar career, grew up in the village of Highley, near Bridgnorth.
Hitchens Way, which will form part of Taylor Wimpey's housing development, Hugesleah Place, has been unveiled to honour one of the former mining village's most famous sons.
Gerry's eldest son, Marcus, said his late father - who died in 1983 aged 48 while taking part in a charity football match in north Wales - would have been "gobsmacked" to know a road had been named after him in Highley.
He said although the family no longer lived in the area he remembered always visiting the village once the football season had ended.
He said: "My dad would have been a proud man to have a road named after him but at the same time would be gobsmacked.
"Wherever we were, as soon as the end of the season came, we would pack up and come back for two or three weeks.
"He always made a beeline for Highley, where he grew up. He had very fond memories of his time here."
Gerry's first job was working down the mining pits aged 15 but his footballing talents soon saw him snapped up by Kidderminster Harriers. He went on to play for Cardiff City and Villa before signing for Italian giants, Inter, playing out the rest of his stunning career on the continent.
His four years at Villa were certainly some of the most memorable for the club's die hard fans with the striker notching five goals during an 11-1 win against Charlton Athletic, followed with a hat trick during a 5-0 away win at Bristol City and then two more at home to Scunthorpe United during another 5-0 win during the 1959-60 season.
He also played for England during the 1962 World Cup in Chile and won a total of seven caps, scoring five goals.
Marcus said: "This road naming is incredible. I can't believe it really, it's lovely. I'm very proud to be here."
The family, who now live in North Wales, were also recently in the county for the Welsh Weekend at the Severn Centre, organised by The New Highley Initiative, featuring the Pelenna Male Voice Choir and the Highley Colliery Brass Band.
