Overview
- Wharton's death at 83 after a short illness was confirmed by Wolverhampton Wanderers, who offered condolences to his wife, Sue, and his family.
- Players wore black armbands and supporters observed a minute’s applause before the West Ham match at Molineux in a club-organized tribute.
- Wharton made 242 appearances and scored 79 goals for Wolves between 1959 and 1968 after debuting under Stan Cullis with a goal against Ipswich in 1961.
- Career highlights included a 1963 hat-trick in a 7-0 win over West Brom and a 17-goal haul that helped secure promotion in 1967.
- He also won the 1967 United Soccer Association title with Los Angeles Wolves and later supported Wolves FPA and the Wolves Foundation’s Molineux Memories program, drawing warm tributes from fans who hailed his penalty prowess and character.