England captain Bobby Moore (1941 – 1993) holds up the Jules Rimet trophy after his team’s victory over West Germany in the final of the World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. Goalkeeper Gordon Banks is on the right with Geoff Hurst on the left. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
A personal recollection from Hugh Southon
What a day. I travelled up from Tunbridge Wells to Charing Cross. Then to Euston through to Wembley Central and the walk down to a stadium which even itself had never seen a day like this.
The atmosphere was beyond anything I had ever experienced. I was ready for the final chapter of that astonishing 1966 tournament. 97,000 of us in beautiful weather with hearts on fire and nerves shredded hours even before the start.
120 minutes of the sweetest torture and why weren’t those 11 in claret and blue? We were responsible, we won it, even down to near post crosses perfected by Ron Greenwood.
We were uncontrollable, we sang, we screamed, we danced in those Trafalgar Square fountains, we were West Ham, we were England, we were on top of the world…and all these years later to say “I was there” is the ultimate statement of pride and joy.
None of us ever wanted or believed it would be the only time an England captain lifted a tropy. Still don’t but it has been and it was Mooro! Thank you ,thank you, thank you and again I say with so much joy.
YES I WAS THERE. 50 years to the day today!
There’s not many times I wish I was 10 years older. I was coming up to two years of age ,and cant claim to remember the great day.luckily In our times we can relive that day via many sources.But listening to your,and others accounts, there is no substitute to being there,so for once I’m jealous of slightly older supporter’s luck.COYI
Lucky fella Hugh.It must have been an incredible day.However I do wonder if it is comparable to our recent match against Iceland.That was bigger wasn’t it ???? Lol
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Eat you’re heart out baddow , I was there as well , ten years old and wearing my west ham shirt that never changed every year , having sewn on the badge by hand which was the norm , badge sold seperatly lol.
Never made it to Trafalgar sq, ended up in the tenterton pub in fern st , bow , with the family and west ham fanatics that lived there , everyone supported west ham , not healthy if you didn’t ?? 50 years , seems like yesterday ! 3 finals in in 3 years , spoilt rotten !!
The west ham way .
Hugh is on the pitch. He thinks its all over. It is now.
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Nice post Hugh, hopefully our wonderful club can provide you and us with some more great history 50 years on COYI!!!!