England's Euro 1966 Winning Squad: A Look Back

The year was 1966 and England was hosting the eighth edition of the European Football Championship. The eventual winners would be the home team, England, led by their legendary manager, Sir Alf Ramsey. This victory remains the only major international tournament that England has won to date, and the players who were part of that squad have attained legendary status in English football history. In this article, we take a look back at the players who made up England's Euro 1966 winning squad.

The Players

England's Euro 1966 winning squad consisted of 22 players. Here are some of the key players:

Bobby Charlton: Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in English football history, Charlton was the star of the England team and won the Golden Boot award at the tournament. He scored three crucial goals in the knockout stages to help England progress to the final.

Geoff Hurst: Hurst was the hero of the final, scoring a hat-trick against West Germany, including the famous extra-time winner. He remains the only player to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final.

Gordon Banks: Banks was England's goalkeeper and played a crucial role in the final, making a stunning save from a header by West Germany's Ludwig in the early stages of the match. He also made a memorable save from Pele's header in the 1970 World Cup, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest saves in football history.

Bobby Moore: Moore was England's captain and central defender. He led the team to victory and is still regarded as one of the greatest England captains of all time.

The Final

The final of Euro 1966 was played on 30 July at Wembley Stadium in London, between England and West Germany. The match went into extra time after the two sides were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time. It was in extra time that Hurst scored his two goals to secure the victory for England. The final was also notable for controversy surrounding Hurst's second goal, with some observers suggesting that the ball did not cross the goal line.

The Legacy

England's victory in the 1966 European Championship remains the only major international tournament that the country has won to date. The players who made up the squad have become legendary figures in English football history, with many of them going on to achieve success at club level as well. The victory also remains a source of national pride and is celebrated as a defining moment in the country's sporting history.

In conclusion, England's Euro 1966 winning squad was a remarkable group of players who achieved something that no other England team has been able to replicate. The key players, including Charlton, Hurst, Banks and Moore, have become legends of the game and their feats continue to be celebrated by football fans around the world.