Were they Really ?

On the 30th July 1966 England won the FIFA World Cup at Wembley, besting West Germany in the Final 4 goals to 2. The victory came in the 30 minutes of extra time.

I was at Boy Scout Camp at the time on the Duke of Rutland’s Estate. The troop were allowed to watch the match in the Duke’s home yet the Scout Master felt we had overstayed our welcome and wanted to leave at full time with the match undecided. The Duke was perplexed and thankfully insisted we stay.

Today one of the England players died and of the 11 men that played only 4 remain alive ( so much for sport keeps you fit ) . The Captain Bobby Moore I met buying a suit once and we chatted sadly before he died of cancer. Nobby Stiles died today leaving Sir Bobby Charlton , George Cohen, Roger Hunt and Geoff Hurst remaining.

The boys were paid £50 each for winning the cup and had to sell their medals in later life to provide their pension. Soccer players were paid maximum £200 per week in those days as opposed to often £200,000 per week today. They were great players which is why we have never won the World Cup since. The ball was heavier in those days and the grass pitches muddier though it all seemed more fun and I wonder if I just being nostalgic or were they really better times.

On Saturdays we would go through the turnstiles and pay there to get in first come first served. We would drink Bovril and eat hot dogs. We would stand on the terraces and sway with the crowds. There was foul language, there was witty remarks and it was a great afternoon out. I used to go to Stamford Bridge and we would have 60,000 to 80,000 there till they tore down the terracing. My father took me to my first match in 1959 when Chelsea beat Manchester City 6 goals to 3 and it was amazing.

Young boys still dream of being soccer stars and that is understandable but I shall never forget that day in July 1966 when we were Champions of the World and the Moon had not been landed on but Heaven came down.
As for Nobby like many players he suffered from dementia and or alzeimhers caused probably from incessant heading of that heavy ball. Nobby was fearless in tackling played without teeth probably because he lost them in the line of duty.

Only yesterday J J Williams the great Welsh Rugby hero died and as our heroes slowly depart one stares nearer to ones own exit door and begin to wonder what legacy we can leave and what victory can we point to.

Sorry , it’s me just being sentimental but they really did seem better days , better people and better times. But we’re they really ?