Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterSir Geoff Hurst will forever be at the centre of English footballs greatest-ever achievement.The former West Ham strikers iconic hat-trick saw the Three Lions conquer the world at Wembley 60 summers ago, but just months earlier, his place at the 1966 World Cup was far from assured.It would take patience, preparation and an unfortunate injury to Jimmy Greaves for Hurst to get his opportunity under Sir Alf Ramsey.Geoff Hurst on waiting for his England chanceAs Hurst looks back on his rise into the England starting XI that summer, he admits that he was eager to keep his expectations in check in the run-up to the tournament,Well, you don't get too far ahead of yourself, Hurst tells FourFourTwo. You might find it surprising but, although we were successful at West Ham, it was never really on my radar." You may like The closest England striker compared to me, in terms of style? Id have to pick out Alan Shearer Sir Geoff Hurst compares himself to the Three Lions greats that succeeded him at later World Cups Sir Geoff Hurst explains why he wasn't upset about Kylian Mbappe matching his World Cup hat-trick record Sixty years on: Was England's 1966 winning XI destiny, fate, or a chance affair? Hursts approach of letting his club football at Upton Park do the talking would pay off, though, as the call did come just in time.It was quite a surprise when I received a letter from the FA in December 65 saying I was picked for the game in February against West Germany at Wembley. You come and play and do your best, and hopefully the manager sees enough in you.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Thankfully, he did. It wasnt just me, either. Martin Peters, my team-mate at West Ham and room-mate on England duty, played his first game in May that year. He went on to score the other goal in the final, of course. We were cutting it fine!While Hurst was named in Ramseys 22-man squad for the World Cup, he didnt actually start a game until the quarter-final win over Argentina, after first-choice striker Jimmy Greaves injured himself in the final group game. But was that a source of frustration for Hurst?Not for one second, he insists. I was honestly just so ecstatic to be in the squad for a home World Cup.I often joke that Alf Ramsay picked two average players ahead of me, in Jimmy Greaves and Roger Hunt, before finally getting it right. But, of course, those two were phenomenal strikers and I was thrilled to support the team however I could.That was a good attitude because, when your chance comes in life, you have to be ready to take it and I did.Saying that, I was honestly so sad for the great Jimmy Greaves, who damaged his leg against France. He deserved to play on.TOPICSSir Geoff HurstWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromGrant Bage
