Wednesday, November 18, 2020

England's glorious 1966 World Cup victory

BBC Two screened a wonderful documentary on Monday night on the 1966 World Cup.

Sir David Jason presented the programme, World Cup 1966: Alfie's Boys and he did it with his natural genius, sense of fun, and panache.

Do you remember where you were on that Saturday, July 30, 1966?

One of England's highest ever goal scorers, Jimmy Greaves was dropped for the semi-final and final and watched the game from the stands. It was many years later before he got his medal.

Back then substitutes were not permitted.

His replacement, Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in the final. He is the only person ever to score three goals in a World Cup final.

Nobby Stiles played the full 90 minutes in every game of the World Cup campaign. His post-match celebration featured him dancing on the Wembley pitch, holding the World Cup trophy in one hand and his false teeth in the other.

The FA offered the team £12,000 to be divided among the players proportionally, that being decided on the number of games played by each member of the squad. Bobby Charlton objected and the money was divided equally among the squad. The German runners-up, received substantially more from the DFB. 

The players' wives/girlfriends were not invited to the  subsequent victory meal. 

Team manager Sir Alf Ramsey was credited for uniting the team and giving them a great sense of camaraderie.

He was often jeered for his posh accent, which many players and commentators said was acquired by taking elocution lessons.

It was a lovely programme and David Jason added a great touch to it.

If you have a chance of watching it, it comes highly recommended.

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