The 1966 World Cup Final was notable mostly for Kenneth Wolstenholme's memorable comment: "They think it's all over ... it is now!" Geoff Hurst's third goal ensured that England would lift the Jules Rimet Trophy with a 4-2 win over West Germany.
This documentary recreates a footballing environment very different from today's. Sir Alf Ramsey had enjoyed a successful managerial career with Ipswich Town before becoming the England manager; when in post, he was strict in his discipline as well as highly brusque with the Press. He might not have been the greatest tactician, but he had an instinctive grasp of what would work on the pitch and what wouldn't. Hence his decision to leave Jimmy Greaves, England's most prolific goal-scorer, out of the side in the latter stages of the World Cup.
England's players were paid very much less than they are today, and it seemed that their commitment to playing for their country was much more sustained. They took pride in wearing the national team colors, even though there were some highly diverse personalities in the side. Jack Charlton was an abrasive personality, the kind of person who would not necessarily get on with the more phlegmatic Martin Peters. Bobby Moore was a gentlemanly player, whose outward calm contrasted with the more aggressive Nobby Stiles. Yet it was Ramsey's major achievement to unify all the members of the side into a coherent unit.
Sadly some members of that wonderful team are no longer with us. Bobby Moore died of liver cancer at the age of only fifty-one, while Alan Ball also passed away quite young. Others have not aged well: Ray Wilson and Nobby Stiles were too ill to be interviewed, while Martin Peters and Jackie Charlton experience memory problems. Nonetheless all the players who were interviewed were proud of their achievement; it might not have rendered them financially secure for life, but the memories will always be with them.
This documentary recreates a footballing environment very different from today's. Sir Alf Ramsey had enjoyed a successful managerial career with Ipswich Town before becoming the England manager; when in post, he was strict in his discipline as well as highly brusque with the Press. He might not have been the greatest tactician, but he had an instinctive grasp of what would work on the pitch and what wouldn't. Hence his decision to leave Jimmy Greaves, England's most prolific goal-scorer, out of the side in the latter stages of the World Cup.
England's players were paid very much less than they are today, and it seemed that their commitment to playing for their country was much more sustained. They took pride in wearing the national team colors, even though there were some highly diverse personalities in the side. Jack Charlton was an abrasive personality, the kind of person who would not necessarily get on with the more phlegmatic Martin Peters. Bobby Moore was a gentlemanly player, whose outward calm contrasted with the more aggressive Nobby Stiles. Yet it was Ramsey's major achievement to unify all the members of the side into a coherent unit.
Sadly some members of that wonderful team are no longer with us. Bobby Moore died of liver cancer at the age of only fifty-one, while Alan Ball also passed away quite young. Others have not aged well: Ray Wilson and Nobby Stiles were too ill to be interviewed, while Martin Peters and Jackie Charlton experience memory problems. Nonetheless all the players who were interviewed were proud of their achievement; it might not have rendered them financially secure for life, but the memories will always be with them.
