Sir Geoff Hurst is permanently linked to the pinnacle of England’s football history.
Six decades ago, the ex-West Ham forward’s legendary treble propelled the national team to global glory at Wembley, though his inclusion in the 1966 tournament was highly uncertain just months prior.
Securing a starting spot under manager Sir Alf Ramsey required patience, thorough preparation, and an untimely injury to star forward Jimmy Greaves.
Geoff Hurst recalls biding his time for an international breakthrough
Reflecting on his journey into the starting lineup that year, Hurst remembers deliberately managing his own hopes before the tournament commenced.
“You try not to look too far into the future,” Hurst explained to FourFourTwo. “It might sound odd, but despite our achievements with West Ham, representing England wasn’t something I actively focused on.”
However, Hurst’s strategy of focusing purely on his performances for his club at Upton Park yielded results, as his summons arrived at just the right moment.
“I was genuinely astonished when the FA sent me a letter in late 1965 informing me of my selection for the February fixture with West Germany at Wembley. You simply turn up, give everything you have, and hope the boss sees promise in your play.
“Fortunately, he did. And I wasn’t the only one in that position. My West Ham teammate and international roommate, Martin Peters, only made his debut in May of that same year. He went on to get the other goal in the final, naturally. We certainly left it late!”
Even though Hurst secured a spot in Ramsey’s final squad, he was kept on the sidelines until the quarter-final victory against Argentina, stepping in after primary option Jimmy Greaves suffered an injury during the final group match. Did this delay cause Hurst any frustration?
“Not in the slightest,” he emphasizes. “I was genuinely thrilled just to be part of the squad for a tournament hosted on home soil.
“I frequently tease that Alf Ramsey selected a couple of mediocre players before me, referring to Jimmy Greaves and Roger Hunt, before he finally made the correct decision. In truth, though, both of them were incredible goalscorers, and I was happy to back the squad in any capacity.
“Maintaining that mindset was crucial, because when an opportunity presents itself, you must be prepared to seize it—which is exactly what I did.
“Even so, I felt incredibly devastated for the brilliant Jimmy Greaves, who picked up a leg injury in the game against France. He truly earned the right to continue playing.”
