Join Gary Lineker and the FA to get knighthoods for the Lions who won the World Cup in 1966. Now – 50 years on from England’s 1966 World Cup success the Sunday Mirror is calling for Sir Alf Ramsay’s legendary team to finally receive fitting recognition of their historic achievement.
They need your signatures to get the issue debated in the Houses of Parliament.
The image of captain Bobby Moore hoisted upon the shoulders of his beaming teammates while proudly holding aloft the sacred Jules Rimet trophy remains the enduring image of English sporting pride.
Yet he and midfield star Alan Ball both died tragically young, before proper praise was paid to them.
Bobby Charlton and hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst were deservedly knighted following the World Cup win, along with team manager Alf Ramsay.
But the exploits of Gordon Banks, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Martin Peters, Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles and Roger Hunt have not been recognised with appropriate honours.
The petition calls on David Cameron to back the fight.
Gary Linkeker said: “It is the 50th anniversary and there is huge appetite to have them knighted. It would be a great gesture to a bunch of guys who have given so much.
“What they did was a wonderful achievement.”
“The World Cup win in 1966 means a lot because it was the only major tournament we have won.
“Yes, it was home soil, but nevertheless that adds pressure and you still have to get the job done. And they certainly did that in style.
“As an England player it was something that we were well aware of. Everyone knows the history of their own sport and I think we were all well aware of what had gone before. Especially those of us who played in World Cups and were aware of the pressure and expectation.
“We did not quite win it but did reasonably well in Italia 90 and know what it takes. We knew what it must have taken for that particular side to win what they did.”
Let’s get it done before anymore of them die,if 2 of them deserve the honour so do the others,
Now a days after the Olympics they throw awards at anyone winning any thing,
These few won something no other English man has,
And for a change no money involved in the decision just the respect of the nation for our true heroes