A special sculpture was unveiled on 13th December to honour Wolverhampton Wanderers FC’s historic role in European Championship history, with one of the children who attended the 1954 match and now Chairman of a local firm invited to the unveiling ceremony.
Sculptor and West Midlands native Luke Perry was commissioned by the club to create a 3.5 metre tall sculpture in recognition of the Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. v Budapest Honvéd FC game 70 years ago to the day.
At the time, Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C were the champions of England having won their first ever championship in the 1953-54 season, while Budapest Honvéd FC were the title-holders for Hungary, having won their fourth championship in the 1954 season.
The game, which was broadcast on BBC and is said to have had circa 60,000 in attendance, is widely regarded as the pivotal moment that led to the formation of the European Cup.
The artwork has been galvanized by Wednesfield-based Edward Howell Galvanizers Ltd, part of Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd, whose Chairman, Jeremy Woolridge, was at that very same match with his mother as a nine year old boy. He and his family have been lifelong supporters of their local club ever since and have seats in the Stan Cullis Stand.
Russell Jones, GM – Marketing & Commercial Growth at Wolves FC, explained: “We’re delighted to be unveiling such an important piece of art to recognise and celebrate our club’s place in the history of football and of the European Cup. We’re delighted to have brought in the incredibly talented Luke Perry to make the sculpture, and to be inviting locals and families of both sides including Jeremy Woolridge, who runs the company that galvanized the piece and who was at that match.”
Jeremy commented: “My mother took me to that game when I was just nine years old – it was my first ever match. Now, exactly 70 years later, we’re unveiling a sculpture that our team has galvanized to commemorate a moment in our club’s history, and which means so much to me personally.”
Anita Bate, General Manager at Edward Howell Galvanizers added: “Luke Perry, who we’ve had the pleasure of working with for the last 15 years, is always a joy to work with and we’re sure his sculpture will be enjoyed by both home and away fans for many years to come.”
Following the death of Wolves’ legendary manager Stan Cullis in 2001, club figure Peter Creed said that Cullis had made them “the most famous club in the world during the 1950s”, while The FA said “the famous ‘floodlit friendlies’ against sides such as Honvéd of Hungary are ingrained in the traditions of English football”.
Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd is the largest hot-dip galvanizing organisation in the UK with a history dating back over 155 years. With 14 plants strategically placed across the country, the firm offers a truly national galvanizing service.
For further information please contact Wedge Group Galvanizing on 01902 601944 or visit www.wedge-galv.co.uk.