Wolves' Billy Wright tram retired as plans to name new Midland Metro after Cyrille Regis revealed
A former Midland Metro tram named after Wolves football hero Billy Wright has been retired and donated to an industry group.
It comes as bosses at the West Midlands Combined Authority, responsible for the Metro, look to name another tram after Baggies legend Cyrille Regis, who also played for Wolves and Villa.
Members of the WMCA will today discuss criteria for naming the fleet of 21 trams, which is expected to grow to 70 by 2026.
Earlier this year, 13 of the retired T69 tram fleet was sold for scrap at auction to a single bidder for a total of £13,000.
Tram 7, named after Billy Wright, was donated to UK Tram, the British tram industry body, where it will be preserved.
Tram 11, named after former Birmingham City Council leader Theresa Stewart, was donated to Birmingham Museum.
Others sent for scrap included trams named after Walsall’s Sister Dora, Baggies and England star striker Jeff ‘the King’ Astle, and Walsall transport historian John Stanley Webb.
One of the vehicles was named after Agenoria, a steam locomotive built at Stourbridge in 1829.
The T69 tram fleet was introduced when the Midland Metro line opened in 1998, but was phased out in 2014.
They have been replaced by Urbos trams. Just two have been named so far – one after regional transport chief Angus Adams, who died four years ago, and another after rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, who helped found Black Sabbath.
Councillor Roger Horton, who is lead member for rail and metro on the West Midlands Combined Authority, raised the idea to name a tram after Cyrille Regis, who died in January.
Cyrille played for West Bromwich Albion, Wolves and Aston Villa.
Thousands of people attended a celebration of the footballer’s life at The Hawthorns, where he first played in 1977. Councillor Horton said: “He was so admired as a footballer by all supporters no matter the club rivalries, and then later in life he did so much for charity and the church.
“I believe it would be fitting to name a tram after him.”
The matter was supported by fellow members.
“Talks will begin with the family before an official announcement is made.”
Cyrille’s widow Julia said: “What a lovely gesture and we look forward to talking to the committee further about its proposal.”
Today, members of the authority will also consider a naming criteria for the other trams.
It could see a shortlist created by the organisation which would then be put to the public for vote.
A report to the meeting said: “The new fleet provides an opportunity to celebrate successful people from the local area who have contributed to society and given something back to the region, by naming trams after them.”
But Councillor Horton said there was no immediate rush to name the entire fleet as soon as possible.
The Billy Wright tram plaque was unveiled by Vicky and Kelly Wright-Warhurst, the star’s daughter and grand-daughter, in 2008.
Also at the event were former Wolves players including Malcolm Finlayson, Bill Slater and Roy Swinbourne.
