1966 World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst at King's Lynn Alive Corn Exchange in 2023
World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst will be talking about his live, and his football career at Lynn's Alive Corn Exchange on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Still the only scorer of a hat-trick in a men's World Cup final, Sir Geoff made his name with club side West Ham United, with whom he made 499 league and cup appearances, scoring 248 goals. He was Player of the Year three times and won the FA Cup with West Ham in 1964 and the European cup winners cup in 1965.
However, it was playing in the national side that launched him as a world football icon – not only as being part of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966 but also scoring a hat-trick in that final. Hence Kenneth Wolstenholme's immortal words “They think its all over — it is now”.
In 1998 the BBC announced that the England fourth goal with Wolstenholme uttering those immortal words, has been the most shown sporting piece of footage ever seen on television.
After leaving West Ham, Sir Geoff then played for Stoke City with 100 appearances and 30 goals, then West Bromwich Albion for a year. He then became player-manager for Telford and also had spells playing in America and Kuwait.
He went on to become the assistant coach to the national team under Ron Greenwood from 1977 to 1982, and then became the manager of Chelsea for two years.
Back by popular demand after 2019's successful tour, he will talk amusingly about his illustrious West Ham and England career.
After many requests to tour again, Sir Geoff, aged 81, is pleased to be back on the road! Joining him on his tour will be his great friend and agent Terry Baker from A1 Sporting Speakers, who will be asking him the questions, plus some extra banter!
VIP ticket holders will have a chance to meet him, as well as have a photograph with him jointly holding the FA Cup before the show (social distancing rules apply).
The second half of the show will be a question and answer session with the audience in what will surely be a great event for all football fans!
Tickets cost £31.50/VIP £67. To book, go to https://www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk/theatre/whats-on/event/an-evening-with-sir-geoff-hurst/
SIR GEOFF HURST INTERVIEW
Q. What did it feel like to win the World Cup in 1966?
A. It’s hard to put the feeling into words especially in my case because I only made my debut in 1966 so it was all potentially overwhelming. I was young though and it all came so suddenly but I enjoyed it all.
Q. What was the feeling like with the population after you won?
A. It was less of a major thing in the months after winning the World Cup. We were congratulated and it was obviously a great achievement. It’s become bigger and bigger with the passage of time because England haven’t won it subsequently.
Q. Which is your favourite goal in the final?
A. Everywhere I go I’m asked about the hat-trick, it all passed in a blur at the time. I guess my second is best remembered for the accompanying controversy but I view them all as equal.
Q. Who was the best player you played with in your England career?
A. There were many, Bobby Charlton was immense. In the World Cup final Alan Ball was magnificent. He ran his heart out and he cared so much , his patriotism shone through. Jimmy Greaves was the best goal scorer in English history and a mate as well, obviously Martin was my team mate for years and we had a great understanding on the pitch but overall Mooro, Bobby Moore would be the calming influence and overall leader and quality player that I would choose as the number one
We have had good chances to win it again especially in 1970 and 1990. I guess it’s surprising that we never won again but West Germany exacted revenge for our victory over and over again in subsequent years.
I’m always cautiously optimistic when the World Cup comes around. We exceeded expectations and gave the country a feel good factor for a few weeks in 2018.
Q. Which team do you support?
A. West Ham are my team and always will be. However I live a long way from there so I only get there a couple of times per year.
Q. How did it feel when you were knighted?
A. Obviously it was an honour to be knighted. I don’t know what else to say about that other than I feel very privileged and to receive for winning something for England is even better.
Q. How do you spend your time these days?
A. I send a lot of time with my wife and grandchildren and see my children as much as possible. I still attend all England games at Wembley and I make lots of personal appearances such as the theatre tour I am undertaking next March with Terry and Freda my agents from A1 Sporting Speakers as well as sportsman’s dinners and lots of corporate events.
Q. Where are your happiest memories from your playing days?
A. My favourite grounds were the old Wembley and Upton Park. Great atmospheres at both and many happy memories for me.
Q. What do you think of the huge amounts of money players are paid these days?
A. Wages have changed , I think I was on about £20 a week in the sixties but good luck to today’s players. They exist in a different world today but it’s a short career so let them enjoy it whilst they can.
Q. Why are you doing this short theatre tour next March?
A. We did six shows in June 2018 and had such a great time, we wanted to repeat the experience. It was great fun and really well received. We are looking forward to getting out and about and meeting the fans of England and hopefully a few West Ham fans as well.
It’s always interesting to have a laugh with the people that have supported football for all these years. I’ve hopefully got an interesting story to tell and little did I know that on the 31st of July in 1966 when I was lucky enough to score my World Cup final hat-trick, people would still be asking about it 52 years later!
And the fact that it hasn’t happened since has kept it as a major talking point.
