Former Wolves chairman Dick Homden, who played a key part in the club’s revival in the late 1980s, has died at the age of 78.

Mr Homden, who served as Wolves chairman from 1986-88, passed away at his home at Falkland Manor, Dorrington, near Shrewsbury, on Thursday following a battle with cancer.

He leaves a wife Gillian, and six children – Carol, Russell, Richard, Jonathan, Stephen and Beverley.

Tributes were today paid to Mr Homden, who was also a founding member and life president of Shrewsbury Amateur Boxing Club.

Mr Homden played a key role in the rebirth of Wolves after fronting a consortium with the Gallagher brothers, Wolverhampton Council and Asda to rescue the club in 1986 after the ill-fated Bhatti regime.

He also acted as guarantor for the £64,000 to West Bromwich Albion for legend Steve Bull in November 1986.

Mr Homden was joined in the rescue act by Jack Harris, who became joint chairman.

And the duo sowed the seeds of the club’s recovery, first appointing Graham Turner as manager then signing several players – including Bull – who oversaw the revival of the club.

The Fourth and Third Division titles followed, as well as Wembley success in the 1988 Sherpa Van Trophy over Burnley in front of over 80,000.

Mr Homden departed his role later in the year, while Mr Harris stayed on and became chairman himself before having the South Bank named after him by Sir Jack Hayward, who bought the club for £2.1 million in 1990.

Mr Harris continued to serve on the board with Sir Jack, while Harris’ son John was a director between 1990 and 2004.

“Dick and my dad enjoyed their time working together despite the start coming at a time when the club was in such a bad state,” said Mr Harris jnr.

“I remember when the club was taken over by the consortium my dad turned up and was just given a bunch of keys to open it up.

“There were some great times and they had a lot of fun. Dick was a smashing guy and I was very sad to hear the news of his death.”

Wolves today said in an obituary on their website that they would like to pass on their condolences to the Homden family and appreciation for what Dick achieved for the club.

[Updated: 12:02 04/12/10]