It’s difficult to compare sportsmen and women from different eras. So much has changed since those earlier stars had their day – training routines, equipment, diet, the pressure from the media who follow their every move; but three constants remain – the skill, the commitment and the desire to succeed.

Last summer marked the 40th anniversary of England winning the World Cup for the first and only time. As the squad of 2006 set out for Germany, hopes were high that the best players England had available for some time could emulate the feat of the 1966 team. However, hopes were dashed when the current players failed to perform individually or as a team. A change of manager hasn’t helped the situation and Steve McClaren might appreciate the skill, application and commitment of the World Cup winning team as he endeavours to ensure England’s qualification for next year’s European Championships.

The team of 1966 could all come back and take their place alongside the English footballers of today. Yesterday’s players did not receive the financial rewards that today’s players earn but they had the ability and the desire to succeed at the highest level. They were totally committed to the cause of the England football team and were determined to succeed for their manager and reward the home supporters. They believed that they would win and it wasn’t just words - they did it in style.

'They believed that they would win and it wasn’t just words - they did it in style'


Individually and as a team, those players merit their position in the top echelons of world football. Gordon Banks was a world-class goalkeeper; his performances throughout the 1966 World Cup were faultless and many remember his great save against Brazil in the next competition in Mexico. Today’s England goalkeepers have a long way to go before they reach his level of ability or performance.

Full backs, George Cohen and Ray Wilson were the unsung heroes of the England side. Dependable and reliable, they defended solidly but also added to the attack. With England’s current frailities in defence, Ray Wilson would be guaranteed a starting place under any England manager while Cohen would be a very strong contender to add strength to England’s defensive line-up.

In central defence, England had Jack Charlton and their captain, Bobby Moore. What Charlton lacked in elegance and finesse he made up for in character and determination – he was an uncompromising defender. Coming from the successful Leeds United team managed by Don Revie, he never knew when he was beaten and he was totally committed in every game. Charlton was very useful at attacking corners and set-pieces, scoring many important goals for both club and country. He was a winner who didn’t accept anything less.

Moore was calm and controlled in everything he did. He was as calm on the pitch as he was off it. Even in 1970, after being falsely arrested prior to the World Cup tournament, he didn’t let those experiences affect his play as he gave a master class of defending throughout the competition. England’s success in 1966 was based on a strong spine through the team – Banks, Moore, Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst. Moore was pivotal to that success and as captain he led by example.

The midfield quartet of Alan Ball, Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton and Martin Peters combined skill with the competitiveness required by any successful team. They complemented each other and together they provided cover for the defence, supported the strikers as well as contributing vital goals from midfield.  While the past and present England managers have given much thought on how to accommodate the best players in midfield, Alf Ramsey produced a system that suited his best players and while he had no wingers in his team, they were not restricted in their attacking movement. His ‘wingless wonders’ knew and understood the system they were to play and made it work effectively.

Ball, the youngest member of the team, was a human dynamo, covering every blade of grass. Stiles was fearsome in the tackle, aggressive and combative, other players just didn’t want to face him. He gave the steel to the central midfield position, covering in front of the defence and never knew when to give up.


Charlton was the David Beckham of his day. With his powerful shooting, strong running, accuracy in passing and his ability to score important goals, he was a vital component in this England team. Even 40 years on, Charlton is still England’s leading goal scorer with 49 goals. Peters was described by his manager as being ‘ten years ahead of his time’ and with his innate ability to drift into space for goal scoring opportunities he was very difficult to mark out of a game. He brought skill, craft and goals to the England team.

The two strikers were Roger Hunt, a hard-working player who was unselfish and grafted for the team but also had the ability to score goals. His partner Hurst was a late arrival in the team. His chance came when that extraordinary goalscorer Jimmy Greaves was injured during the tournament. He took this opportunity by scoring the only goal of the quarter-final against Argentina and went on to score a hat-trick in the final. Hurst was not a natural goalscorer like Greaves; he was a more robust centre forward type of player with the strength and ability to hold off challenges, create space for those around him as well as score goals.

What would McClaren give to have an array of talented players like the 1966 World Cup winning team available to him today?  The current England stars continue to struggle through the European Championship qualifying games with little or no conviction. The 1966 team produced their best form when it mattered most, in the biggest tournament and at home, before expectant spectators, they also coped with all the pressure surrounding the tournament.

With the skill, attitude and commitment that these players displayed, they would be able to adapt to the modern game and prove themselves worthy of a place in any England team.

Come on down – the 1966 England World Cup winning team – your country needs you!

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