St Francis Parish Church, Dudley, proudly houses a little-known tribute to one of football’s most talented characters.
St Francis is little over two miles from 23 Malvern Crescent, the council-owned house where Duncan Edwards was born, and just half a mile from 31 Elm Road, where the future Manchester United icon would grow up; knocking a ball around his front and back garden for hours.
St Francis is surrounded by the streets, pitches and schools where Edwards grew into one of England’s brightest prospects, but, standing 130 miles from Selhurst Park, it’s difficult to understand the parish’s association with Crystal Palace Football Club.