City Bids Final Farewell to Sir Jack.
Thousands came out today to watch Sir Jack Hayward’s final departure from Molineux to his funeral service at St. Peter’s Collegiate Church.
Article by Scott Edwards
Photograph by Katherine Hemmings
The city was brought together today for the funeral of a true Wolverhampton native, Sir Jack Hayward.
The former RAF pilot and philanthropist fuelled Wolverhampton Wanderers with nearly £70 million, rescuing the club from certain extinction, back in the early 90’s.
Chants from passionate fans made sure everyone in Wolverhampton knew that ‘One of their Own’ was being laid to rest today, as the funeral procession left Molineux at 1:30pm today, following a special fly over from the 671 squadron in their Lynx and Gazelle military helicopters.
In their masses, fans walked, clapped, and held banners up for the family and friends of Sir Jack who followed his hearse up Waterloo Road, briefly stopping for Sir Jack’s last moment outside Molineux.
Sir Jack once said ‘’I never want to take a penny from this club. All I want is an emotional return’’, something that definitely happened, as thousands dressed in gold and black, followed the hearse carrying the man that made the club, what it is today.
Upon his passing, Sir Jack entered the illustrious hall of fame of Wolves heroes that have passed, joining Stan Cullis, Billy Wright, Bert Williams and so many others that gave their all for the club.
Although he was a man who never dreamed of kicking a ball, he made sure that football enthusiasts in Wolverhampton, had a team they could watch and support.
The majority of Wolves’ current team today, with the likes of Joleon Lescott, Steve Bull and former boss Dave Jones were in attendance at St. Peter’s, witnessing numerous hymns that really resembled the man they were remembering, as well as a reading of William Blake’s ‘The Tyger’ by Led Zepplin’s Robert Plant.
Wolverhampton will remember this as the day the city came together, to thank the man that never forgot his roots, a man with a heart of gold, with the colours flowing through his veins.
For more photographs from the event, click here.
To see our tribute video to Sir Jack, click here.
