A WEST MIDLANDS metro tram has been named after late Coventry City legend and race campaigner Cyrille Regis.
Members of his family were on hand to provide moving tributes as the tram was unveiled today at Wednesbury depot, West Bromwich, a year on from his death.
Leader of Solihull council Bob Sleigh delivered a speech in honour of England international Cyrille, whose family still live in the borough.
The metro service is a direct line from West Bromwich into Birmingham city centre.
West Midlands mayor Andy Street said: “With Julia Regis at the Hawthorns ahead of the ceremony where we will be naming one of the West Midlands metro trams in Cyrille’s memory.
“One of region’s all-time great sportsmen, he is fondly remembered by West Brom, Wolves, Villa and Coventry supporters, a testament to his popularity.”
The much-loved hero died last year on January 14, aged 59.
Regis, a former striker and FA Cup winner at Coventry City, passed away following a cardiac arrest.
The former England international joined the Sky Blues in 1984 and appeared 238 times for the club, scoring 47 goals.
He also had a prolific spell at West Bromwich Albion, a team he played for 241 times, and also donned the shirts of Aston Villa, Wolverhampton, Wycombe and Chester.
Of his many highlights at the Sky Blues, Regis was part of the 1987 FA Cup winning side that defeated Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at Wembley in front of 96,000 fans.
The Coventry Observer called for a special memorial service in his honour to be held at Coventry Cathedral, a request which was granted.
He and his team-mates Brendon Batson and Laurie Cunninghan were part of ‘The Three Degrees’ at West Bromwich Albion who together were seen as pioneers of black participation in professional football.
Yesterday Mr Batson paid tribute to his late friends as he received an Honorary Degree from the University of Warwick for his services to football.
