They Think It's All Over... But The Memories Never Fade
The morning following our World Cup victory, I found myself cutting the lawn. It wasn't some grand gesture or attempt to stay grounded—it's just what you did on a Sunday in 1966. The entire experience following our World Cup victory made me reflect on my life sixty years later. We were just ordinary lads who happened to be rather talented at football. I remember standing in the tunnel at Wembley that day, the roar of ninety thousand fans sending vibrations through the concrete. Bobby Moore, our captain, stood tall as always, his talented hair immaculate even before kick-off. We weren't millionaires like today's players—we were working-class boys who earned £60 a match. Our boots were heavy leather, our shorts reached our knees, and our shirts could double their weight in rain. The Germans were tough opponents, technically brilliant and physically imposing. When Wolfgang Weber equalised in the final minute of normal time, making it 2-2, I thought our chance had gone. But Alf Ramsey, cool as ever, simply said during the break, "You've won it once; now go and win it again." That famous moment in extra time—my second goal—still sparks debate. Is it true that the ball went over the line? Roger Hunt, who was closest, always said he saw it clearly go in, which is why he immediately turned away celebrating instead of following up. Is it true that the ball went overfried Dienst consulted his Russian linesman, Tofik Bakhramov, and the goal stood. The stadium erupted. Looking back now, what strikes me most is how different football was then. We engaged in the game out of passion and pride for the uniform. There were no agents, no sponsorship deals, and no social media. After training, we'd often pop into the local pub together—try suggesting that to today's Premier League managers! We formed bonds that lasted a lifetime, though sadly, many of my teammates are no longer with us. The '66 squad came from an England that's vanished now—of factory workers and miners, of council houses and corner shops. We weren't celebrities in the modern sense; we were just footballers who happened to achieve something extraordinary. Perhaps that's why the victory meant so much to people. We were them, and they were us. Here is what Sir Geoff Hurst has been doing in the last decade (2015-2025): Sir Geoff Hurst has remained active in football and charity work over the past decade. As the last surviving member of England's 1966 World Cup final team, he has taken on an important role as a keeper of memories and football heritage. Key activities include: 1. Theatre Tours: He's currently conducting his final theatre tour in 2025, titled "The Last Man Standing, sharing stories from his remarkable career. 2. Charity Work: Since 2020, he has served as an ambassador for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in Cheltenham, a cause he holds dear, as the hospice provided care for his daughter Claire. 3. Commercial Partnerships: He has maintained his role as a brand ambassador for Budweiser, the official beer of the England football team. 4. Digital Advocacy: He's been working with AbilityNet charity to inspire seniors to embrace technology, sharing his experiences with digital adaptation. 5. Football Ambassador: He continues to attend England games at Wembley and makes regular personal appearances at football-related events. Sir Geoff currently resides in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, with his wife Judith, whom he has been married to since 1964. ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 Publisher: Visit Ebury Publishing Published: May 8, 2025 Price: £10.99 Paperback: 304 pages ISBN-10: 152993849X ISBN-13: 978-1529938494 Dimensions: 128 x 198 (mm)
