He joined the Nuns in 1944 and during a playing career that lasted almost 25 years, he also turned out 32 times for Warwickshire and won several Midlands’ honours.

During his working life Wally was a Bevan Boy down the pit during the war before being an engine fitter with Morris Motors and Massey Ferguson.

He was a stalwart member of the Nuns club and his grandson Gary is the current first team captain.

“Dad had been ill and was living in a care home at Harmony House but he still followed the progress of the team,” said son Martin.

“Myself and Gary visited him after every game to give him a full report.”

Nuns chairman Dave Warden said: “I should think that Wally was Nuneaton’s most successful sportsman of all time.

“In his day there were not that many international fixtures, so to win 16 England caps was a fantastic achievement.

"You also have to remember that the players were then strictly amateur.”

As well as Martin and Gary, Wally also leaves a wife Betty and a daughter-in-law Carolyn. The funeral details will be announced later this week.

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