50 years ago today, Sir Alf Ramsey, a former Ipswich Town manager, led England's football team to their greatest achievement yet - winning the FIFA World Cup at Wembley Stadium.
England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time, courtesy of Sir Geoff Hurst's hat-trick and a fourth goal from Martin Peters in 1966.
It remains one of the most notable dates in English history, and the victory is a feat yet to be performed by any other England team to this date.
Geoff Hurst remains to be the only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
He has also scored the most controversial in a WC final, with his chip appearing to cross the goal-line, but bouncing back out of goal. The goal is still being disputed by the Germans, to this day. Switzerland referee Gottfried Dienst and Russian linesman Tofik Bahramov awarded the goal, to the joy of the England players, management and fans.
The final remains to be the most watched event on British television ever, attracting 32.3 million viewers,
It is said it took a while for the World Cup to grip the nation, despite a healthy 87,000 attendance at Wembley for the opening group game against Uruguay.
If that replay ended up in a draw after extra-time, it was decided that the winner would be determined by 'lots'.
Adverts for Bovril, alcoholic drinks, cigarette brands, and an electric shaver featured in the booklet, with re-prints also sold.
Many guides are found online to help people discover if they are purchasing an original, or a re-print.
Meanwhile, a match ticket for the final cost the equivalent of £7.
Other vintage souvenirs were also sold, including a teddy bear toy of the mascot 'World Cup Willie', a World Cup pen and a World Cup football.
England's route to the final:
Group stages: 0-0 vs Uruguay, 2-0 win vs Mexico, 2-0 win vs France. Quarter final: 1-0 vs Argentina. Semi-Final: 2-1 vs Portugal.
England's winning team: Banks, Cohen, Charlton, Moore, Wilson, Stiles, Ball, Charlton, Peters, Hurst, Hunt.
West Germany's route to the final:
Group stages: 5-0 vs Switzerland, 0-0 vs Argentina, 2-1 vs Spain. Quarter final: 4-0 vs Uruguay. Semi-Final: 2-1 vs Soviet Union.
German team: Tilkowski, Hottges, Wchulz, Weber, Schnellinger, Beckenbauer, Overath, Haller, Seeler, Held, Emmerich.
England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time, courtesy of Sir Geoff Hurst's hat-trick and a fourth goal from Martin Peters in 1966.
It remains one of the most notable dates in English history, and the victory is a feat yet to be performed by any other England team to this date.
Geoff Hurst remains to be the only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
He has also scored the most controversial in a WC final, with his chip appearing to cross the goal-line, but bouncing back out of goal. The goal is still being disputed by the Germans, to this day. Switzerland referee Gottfried Dienst and Russian linesman Tofik Bahramov awarded the goal, to the joy of the England players, management and fans.
The final remains to be the most watched event on British television ever, attracting 32.3 million viewers,
It is said it took a while for the World Cup to grip the nation, despite a healthy 87,000 attendance at Wembley for the opening group game against Uruguay.
A World Cup Pickle
The Jules Rimet trophy was stolen during the afternoon on March 20th, after it was on display during a stamp exhibition.
Seven days later, the trophy was discovered by four-year-old Pickles, while on a walk with his owner David Corbett. Corbett received a cash reward of £5,000, with the pair invited to join the celebration banquet.
Pickles went on to star in the 1966 film The Spy With the Cold Nose, and picked up several television appearances.
Decision By Lots
If the final on the 30th July ended in a draw after extra-time, a replay would have been played the following Tuesday.If that replay ended up in a draw after extra-time, it was decided that the winner would be determined by 'lots'.
A 2/6 souvenir
The match programme that afternoon cost 2/6, a half-crown, which converts to roughly 12.5 pence, in today's money. Many programmes are sold at auctions and online, starting at prices from £150.00.Adverts for Bovril, alcoholic drinks, cigarette brands, and an electric shaver featured in the booklet, with re-prints also sold.
Many guides are found online to help people discover if they are purchasing an original, or a re-print.
Meanwhile, a match ticket for the final cost the equivalent of £7.
Other vintage souvenirs were also sold, including a teddy bear toy of the mascot 'World Cup Willie', a World Cup pen and a World Cup football.
What else happened in England in 1966?
- Harold Wilson, of Labour, won the general election
- Hovercraft starts cross-Channel route
- Euston station ends staff 'colour bar'
- First television broadcasts from Houses of Parliament
- Nuclear missile submarine launches
England's route to the final:
Group stages: 0-0 vs Uruguay, 2-0 win vs Mexico, 2-0 win vs France. Quarter final: 1-0 vs Argentina. Semi-Final: 2-1 vs Portugal.
England's winning team: Banks, Cohen, Charlton, Moore, Wilson, Stiles, Ball, Charlton, Peters, Hurst, Hunt.
West Germany's route to the final:
Group stages: 5-0 vs Switzerland, 0-0 vs Argentina, 2-1 vs Spain. Quarter final: 4-0 vs Uruguay. Semi-Final: 2-1 vs Soviet Union.
German team: Tilkowski, Hottges, Wchulz, Weber, Schnellinger, Beckenbauer, Overath, Haller, Seeler, Held, Emmerich.