Express & Star

Tributes paid to architect behind vision for Wolves' Molineux

He is the illustrator and architect behind the Molineux's 1990s redevelopment and Dunstall racecourse.

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John and Irene Bradbury on their wedding day

However, the thousands of people who use his projects every weekend would struggle to recognise the man behind it.

John Bradbury, a founding member of Alan Cotterell's Partnership, was a leading architect in the West Midlands, putting his hand to hundreds of schemes.

Molineux artist impression

But last month, Mr Bradbury died aged 66. He was suffering a lung condition which worsened in the final six months of his life.

At Severn Hospice in Shrewsbury he married his wife and business partner Irene just five before he died.

In the hour before his death he was sat planning the couple's next housing redevelopment project.

Irene Bradbury

Irene, aged 63, said: "He was a wonderfully talented architect who led on many brilliant projects we see today."

She added: "His condition meant, despite his health worsening, he could act normal and still work up to his death.

"We were talking about a project converting a house in to an HMO in Shrewsbury, then 16 minutes he died.

"We knew of the condition he suffered, but it was a shock for us all just how quickly it worsened."

John and Irene Bradbury on their wedding day

Mr Bradbury was born in Handsworth and attended Handsworth Grammar School. After leaving, he studied architecture at Leeds University.

On finishing, he continuing to work in architecture, before starting up the Alan Cotterell Partnership with Mr Cotterell.

They took on some of the biggest projects in the West Midlands, and country.

When former Wolves owner Sir Jack Haywood said he wanted to redevelop the Molineux, he chose Alan Cotterell Partnership to carry out the work.

Mr Bradbury worked on designing the scheme and drew up an artist impression for the Billy Wright Stand, which was then signed by the former Wolves star.

At the same time, he worked on a hotel and main stand at Wolverhampton's Dunstall Park.

The Queen officially opens Molineux, with Sir Jack Hayward, Wolverhampton Wanderers colleagues, and (left) architect Alan Cotterell,

And when the Queen visited the city for the opening of the two projects, Mr Bradbury presented her with his artist impression.

Mrs Bradbury said: "He was extremely proud of the work he carried out. He wasn't a football fan, but he enjoyed visiting his finished projects, which meant alot to him.

Mr Bradbury had two children, Amy and Richard, from a previous marriage. His funeral was held at Shrewsbury Abbey.

Holding an artists impression of the Billy Wright stand, Alan Cotterell