EFY – (1966-1970)

Greatest players

Jack Charlton
Debut – 10th April 1965 V Scotland
Caps – 35
Goals 6
Jack Charlton was overshadowed during his early career by his younger brother Bobby. Jack Charlton was first picked for England at a relatively old age of 29. With only a years international experience, he played an important part in England’s world cup victory. Charlton had a career spanning 20 years, playing for Leeds United and was voted footballer of the year in 1967.

 

Roger Hunt
Debut – 4th April 1962 V Austria
Caps – 34
Goals – 18
Of all the players that won the world cup in 1966 with England, Roger Hunt is arguably the most underrated. On his 28th birthday, Roger Hunt scored both goals against France that sent England into the quarter finals. Hunt was a key figure in the world cup final controversy over whether Geoff Hurst’s extra time goal crossed the line. Hunt could have followed up the goal and smash it into the net, however he was so positive that the ball went over the line that he did not feel it was necessary. Roger Hunt also scored 285 goals for Liverpool in 489 appearances for the club.

 

Nobby Stiles
Debut – 10th April 1965
Caps – 28
Goals – 1
Stiles was an intelligent reader of the game, his ability to spot danger early enabled him to plug gaps in defence. Towards the end of the 1964-65 season, Stiles made his debut against Scotland and had become a permanent fixture in Sir Alf Ramsey’s squad by the start of the 1966 world cup finals. After the 1966 world cup final victory, Stiles became a favorite back home as many people called him to be the next prime minister due to his heroic football performances.

Geoff Hurst
Debut – 23rd February 1966 V West Germany
Caps – 49
Goals – 24
In July 1966, Geoff Hurst achieved what most footballers can only dream of, a hat trick in the world cup final. During the 1966 finals, he failed to make the team in the opening group matches, but injury to Jimmy Greaves handed Hurst his opportunity against Argentina, in which he scored the only goal of that match. After his three goals in the final, Hurst became an international celebrity. He was in the squad for the 1970 world cup finals which England lost in the quarter finals to West Germany. His final appearance for England came in April 1972.

Bobby Moore
Debut – 20th May 1962 V Peru
Caps – 108
Goals – 2
During the late 1960’s, Bobby Moore had everything. He was Captain of his country, a world cup champion and also acknowledged as the best player in the world. His first honour came in 1964, winning the FA Cup with West ham. Bobby Moore was voted ‘Player of Players’ by the world’s press in 1966. After his heroic performances during the 1966 world cup, England went out of the world cup at the quarter final stage in 1970, but Moore again had a great tournament. After the 1970 world cup, the great Pele described Moore as the best player in the world. The last of his 108 caps for his country was in November 1973 in a match against Italy.