I believe you're missing something really important

[arana peligrosa]

7/30/66 mean anything to anyone..

Can appreciate any apathy towards the team in recent years but let's at least honor and remember the personnel of before and what they achieved and provided the country with it's only - and so far - only world championship recognition.

Those great names are far detached from the sorry-as* amateurs of recent times and went out with a belief to succeed and this at a time when the English had a team that could really compete for international honors and with it, a squad of players that deserve respect and admiration.

Could argue that the third strike wasn't a legitimate goal or the fourth shouldn't have been allowed also given the field invasion - but on this day take the opportunity to look back and recall an achievement that Ramsey had prophesized before start of competition but a great many would have questioned.

Yes there's a certain pride in the fact that we (Ipswich Town Football Club) have a World Cup winning manager to our name - a unique honor that may never be replicated - and while it's a shame in retrospect that my favorite all-time English goalscorer in Jimmy Greaves was not selected on the day, Ramsey's decision to favor Hurst in the main event was in the end justified.

50 years back on this day an event occurred in North London that may never be duplicated for the English national team - and would hope that whoever may read this, wherever you find yourself in the world, take a moment to look back these fifty years and honor the men who made it possible. (I believe the 1970 squad was in fact better equipped four years after but home advantage was a deciding factor over the heat and thin air of Mexico that would have proved problematic for even the best of players)

More people were witness to Norwich beating Sunderland in the 1985 League Cup Final than this game (I could have provided another example, but this one at least makes for perhaps most bizarre reading) and it was the last World Cup Final to be broadcast without color if correct.

Ultimately spoken in vain, but I'd wish for the most recent collection of squad players who failed again in France just recent, to take a moment to reflect and realize how far detached they are from a winning team and what is necessary to provide your country with an achievement - playing with enough desire and motivation to offer an opportunity to succeed.

July 30 1966 - if you're English then be proud in your achievements

[marko69]

7/30/66

The 7th of the 30th month?

No such fking thing.

Means f*ck all to me.

[BLUEBLOOD]

It was Saturday, under the sign of Leo. The US president was Lyndon B. Johnson (Democratic). In that special week of July people in US were listening to Wild Thing by The Troggs. In UK Sunny Afternoon by The Kinks was in the top 5 hits. This Property Is Condemned, directed by Sydney Pollack, was one of the most viewed movies released in 1966 while Valley Of The Dolls by Jacqueline Susann was one of the best selling books.

Beatles' "Yesterday... and Today," album goes #1 and stays #1 for 5 weeks
Beatles Paperback writer @ no:1 Singles chart

Sorry I forgot .

[phily bon bon]

Won't ever be repeated in my lifetime unfortunately. Big Sam won't make one iotas difference. Let's just be grateful that players of yesteryear did give a flying fcuk for the national side more than their league clubs.

[Bluemike]

Not so sure about that, I believe Big Sam to be exactly what our overpaid primma Donnas need to whip them into shape, for me he is the best man for the job.

[phily bon bon]

Not so sure about that, I believe Big Sam to be exactly what our overpaid primma Donnas need to whip them into shape, for me he is the best man for the job.

I would have liked to see either Howe or Bruce but lm one hundred percent behind Sam I just don't think it will make a difference to the players that their clubs mean much more than the national team.

Hope you are right but time will tell

[arana peligrosa]

Able to see why they went with Allardyce but the time for that appointment would have been 15 years back, believe his time has passed and best years are behind him. Provided Bolton with some standout moments and while an adequate replacement for Hodgson, feel a better choice would have been made with Stuart Pearce or even Shearer.

Here is the line-up of the '66 Final game and players (and manager) involved and what occurred after that day : (Bear in mind there were no substitutes available at time of competition)

Gordon Banks (78)

Goalkeeper

Continued to appear at international level until 1972 including being first choice at the World Cup Finals in Mexico 1970 but despite the English possessing an arguably better team than four years previous, Banks was struck down by a mystery illness days before a quarter-final game with West Germany and was never again to appear in a Finals event. Of nearly 75 international appearances over nine years, Banks achieved 35 games keeping opposition teams out.

Order of the British Empire honor.


Ray Wilson (81)

Central defender

Played again at the 1968 European Championships but fell foul of injury and player preference thereafter. Spent a short time in management after playing although short lived.

Awarded Member of the British Empire honor.


Jack Charlton (81)

Central defender

Played at professional level for one club in Leeds United and collected many honors and went on to managerial recognition with a number of teams, most noticeably the Republic of Ireland. Appeared again at international level for the 1970 World Cup Finals but was (this time) sparingly used by manager Ramsey.

Awarded Order of the British Empire honor.


Robert Moore (d.1993)

Defender

One of the most recognized figures of the competition and held the record for appearances made at international level until surpassed by Shilton at a later time. Played at the Mexico finals in 1970 despite allegations of theft from a Colombian jewelry store before start of tournament and continued to feature for another three years before retirement. In later years appeared for Fulham in an FA Cup Final and became a respected commentator and analysist, but sadly lost a battle with cancer in early 1993. He was 51 years of age.

Awarded Order of the British Empire honor.


George Cohen (76)

Defender

Played entire professional level for Fulham and despite being part of a World Cup winning squad, was utilized sparingly at international level and never again appeared at a major tournament. Will be featured in sculpture at Fulham’s home ground later this year in tribute to his services.

Awarded the Order of the British Empire honor.


Martin Peters (72)

Midfielder

Came within one minute of achieving legendary status of winning England the World Cup and seems forever to live in the shadow of other players’ endeavors from the day. Part of the West Ham connection of World Cup winners with Hurst and Moore, he continued to play at professional level until 1982, but has never been recognized in management.

The only player to receive a caution in the final game with West Germany.

Awarded the Member of the British Empire honor.


Alan Ball (d.2007)

Midfielder

One of the unsung heroes of the day and played an important part in the eventual victory but perhaps more recognized for managerial accomplishment. Continued to play for a variety of clubs at different level until 1983 and was involved at managerial level thereafter for many years. Was the last member of the 1966 World Cup winning team to still be playing (by 1975), and featured in the finals in 1970 in Mexico, throwing his winners medal out of his hotel window after defeat by West Germany at the last eight stage. Sadly succumbed to heart failure in 2007 following a domestic incident. He was 61 years of age.

Awarded the Member of the British Empire honor.


‘Nobby’ Stiles (74)

Defensive Midfield

Achieved many honors at domestic level, most noticeably with Manchester United and was another name from the day that didn’t always receive the recognition it deserved. Traveled to Mexico in 1970 as a squad member but was not at any time utilized. Spent time in management albeit in some obscure capacity.

Awarded the Member of the British Empire honor.


Robert Charlton (78)

Midfielder

Played a pivotal role in England’s progress to eventual victory and as with Stiles, achieved a substantial level of success at domestic level with Manchester United. Was famously withdrawn from play during the eventual loss to West Germany in 1970 (Ramsey saving the player’s then 32-year old legs for a semi-final game which never occurred) and was (for many years) the England leading scorer at international level until the unmitigated embarrassment of being overtaken by Rooney in recent time.

Awarded the Commander of the British Empire honor


Geoff Hurst (74)

Center forward

The one name most recognized from the final victory and would not have been possible if not for the second German goal moments from the end of normal time. Achieved legendary status along with Moore at West Ham and averaged a goal every two games at international level. Held a brief time in management some years after retirement, albeit with some level of obscurity.

Awarded the Member of the British Empire honor.


Roger Hunt (78)

Center forward

Arguably Liverpool’s most effective attacker although not quite as prolific at international level. Scored three goals at the home success competition in 1966 and was nearest to Hurst’s much-debated second strike that hit the frame of goal and came out. Possesses the distinction of scoring first goal on the BBC ‘Match of the Day’ program. (1964)

Awarded the Member of the British Empire honor.


Alf Ramsey (d.2009)

Team Coach

Provided victory to a home nation after saying it would be done before time. Continued as team coach until 1973 and infamous game with Poland in a qualifier, but will always be remembered for being responsible for the English’s only World Cup winners honor. Made some bizarre decisions during his tenure including Mexico 1970 and was also a success at domestic level, before ending with Birmingham. Sadly lost to the world in 1999 at 79 years of age, he had achieved legendary status both on a domestic, and international, level.

Awarded Knighthood honor for his services to sport.

[ipswichtownNo1]

Allardyce 15 years ago??? I dont think so. Anyhow it was roys fault we went out of euros, not the players.

[marko69]

Anyone had the Nobby Stiles? Bloody painful.

[Tangfastic]

Anyone had the Nobby Stiles? Bloody painful.

Yes, it hurt like a Roger Hunt.

[arana peligrosa]

Allardyce 15 years ago??? I dont think so. Anyhow it was roys fault we went out of euros, not the players.

A survey was produced in 2005 to glean information from the general public about who they would prefer as team manager and Allardyce was the leading name by some distance.

Sam Allardyce 40 per cent

Stuart Pearce 26 per cent

Martin O'Neill 17 per cent

Alan Curbishley 6 per cent

Guus Hiddink 5 per cent

Steve McClaren 4 per cent

Paul Jewell 2 per cent


The latter in retrospect is bizarre, but keep in mind this study was undertaken at a time before he had any direct association with this club and was no doubt being recognized at Wigan or his immediate employers at that time.

Of course, Eriksson remained in charge for the next years World Cup endeavors, Allardyce was never appointed, Pearce was overlooked, O'Neill was never invited, and as for the others only McClaren was provided the opportunity, which if memory serves, ended with a game against Croatia that saw the English miss out on a place at the 2008 European Championships.

As before, you bring to attention it was Hodgson responsible for the demise at the recent tournament in France, but as with McCarthy last season, you can't hold one person alone culpable : the players must take their share of responsibility for not showing enough desire and determination to sustain a realistic hope of opportunity.