By Neil Ravenscroft
May 11 2004

One of the few Walsall players to have left the club and gone on to represent England died today. Saddlers legend Dennis Wilshaw.

Dennis James Wilshaw was born on the 11th March 1926 in Stoke on Trent. He started making a name with himself playing with Albion legend (and future Walsall manager), Ronnie Allen at his school in Hanley, before being taklen on by Wolves during World War II.

On the resumption of football following the end of hostilities, he was loaned to the Saddlers in order to get some experience. Between his first game in May 1946 and his return to Molyneux two years later, he played for the Saddlers 82 times, scoring 21 goals and playing in every position in the front five, other than right winger.

 On his return to the Wolves, he went on to be their top scorer in 1952/53, when he gained a League Winner's medal, on his way to a career total at Molyneux of 117 goals in 232 games. He also won 12 England caps while there (in an era of great forwards) and appeared in the 1954 World Cup Finals.

 He left Wolverhampton to join his home town club, Stoke City, in December 1957 and scored 50 goals for them in only 108 games before his career was ended by a broken leg in 1961. He went on to a succesful career as a teacher and head teacher following his retirement. Our condolences to the family and friends of one of Walsall's true greats. Dennis Wilshaw RIP.