The statue casts Stan Cullis in a familiar pose

Football fans thrive on magical memories from their favourite clubs - and the statues erected in memory of these giants of the game provide a poignant reminder of the glory days.

Premiership new boys Wolverhampton Wanderers also have a statue outside their Molineux ground in memory of former England captain Billy Wright.

Ask any Wolves fan who are the two biggest names in the history of their club, and the majority will surely say Wright and Stan Cullis.

Now they are to be reunited in bronze, as the club who were the kings of English football in the 1950s return to the big time.

Stan Cullis watching his Wolves team in action

After 19 years, Wolves are back in English football's top division - and their arrival in the Premiership will be marked by the unveiling of a statue in honour of Cullis.

For 30 years, he was a player and manager at Molineux, and his shock sacking in 1964 still rankles with many supporters.

But that wrong is about to be put right, two years after his death at his Malvern home, with a nine feet high statue placed outside the stand which already carries his name.

Cullis guided Wolves to three league championships in the 1950s, and two FA Cup triumphs.

And magical nights under the Molineux floodlights when the likes of Real Madrid, Honved and Spartak were beaten, are still talked of fondly among fans starved of modern-day success.

Billy Wright is already honoured with a statue at Molinex

Warwickshire-based sculptor James Butler, who won wide acclaim for his statue of Shropshire-born Billy Wright, was commissioned by Wolves chairman Sir Jack Hayward to create the Cullis memorial.

"I think Stan Cullis with his job with Wolves was absolutely fantastic," said Sir Jack.

And the sculptor is delighted that his creation has gone down so well with the Cullis family.

"Stan's daughter, Susan, came down here to OK the model that I made originally," said Mr Butler.

"It was in clay and I uncovered the clay statue for her. For a moment she was silent, then said 'that's Dad'."