YES, England did win the FIFA World Cup on July 30th 1966. A showery morning in Pulborough, West Sussex and in the afternoon, we, including my teenage friends, went to a neighbour's house, where our chum John, conveniently announced that his parents were on holiday and we had the semi-detached to our selves...all chaps and the World Cup Final, between England and West Germany all ours to enjoy. We all know the result!! The celebrations after extra time, were "male" dominated and at some time that evening I had steak and kidney pie for my "dinner".
The disappointment was the omission of Jimmy Greaves from the final games. He played in the Group One games; v Uruguay (0-0) on July 11th. Then again, no Greaves' goal v Mexico 2-0 although Bobby Charlton and Roger Hunt scored. In the final qualifier, v France 2-0, no Greaves but Roger Hunt did the double. the Group One was topped by England with 5 points, 4 goals for and NO goals against.
It was an "injury" to Greaves, apparently, that affected Alf's decision, as he saw the light and left Greaves out against Argentina in the Quarter-final. Greaves was a flamboyant player but a prolific goalscorer. Jimmy didn't fit into Alf's plan.
On July 23rd, "debut international" Geoff Hurst scored England's only goal, as Argentina "exploded", lost their discipline and lost 1-0. 90,584 attended at Wembley. This was the controversial game when manager Alf Ramsey decribed the Argentinians as "animals" and would not allow his players exchange shirts at the end of the match. (below Alf with George Cohen) Not great for international relations.
On this day in 1930, Uruguay defeated Argentina, 4-2, in the first World Cup at the Centenary Stadium, Montevideo, Uruguay. 95,000 attended.
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