SOCCERVOICE.COM, 26.11.2009
England 1966, the team no one expected to see

England won the 1966 World Cup with a team that no one had thought would be seen. Alf Ramsey used this line-up for the first time in the quarter finals against Argentina.
 

Ramsey had a difficult start to the 1966 World Cup playing a team that was a bit different from the one he used in the final against West Germany.

The England manager experimented a bit in the preperations and gave several of his squad members a chance to shine.

Gordon Banks was the number one goalkeeper, and the Leicester player was an ever present.

Jimmy Armfield had been England's number one right back for a number of years, but Fulham's George Cohen was preferred and given Ramsey's confidence.

Ray Wilson was at this time regarded as the best left back in the World and a certainty. Wilson was an ever present in the finals.

Nobby Stiles was a midfielder at Manchester United and another of Ramsey's most reliable men. Stiles played in all games.

Bobby Moore was the captain and trusted by his manager, despite rumours about him being left out for the final against West Germany. Ramsey never doubted Moore and he is to date the first and last England player to be handed the World Cup trophy.

Jack Charlton partnered Moore in defence and was an ever present.

Alan Ball, a young talented midfielder from Blackpool, was the rookie of the team. He made his debut in 1965 and had only played seven times for England before. He was not a certainty and left out against Mexico and France.

Jimmy Greaves was first choice up front but his injury against France stopped further involvement. Geoff Hurst took his place and became everyone's hero scoring the winner in his first game against Argentina and later hitting three in the final against West Germany.

Bobby Charlton was secure and played a key part. He scored both goals in the 2-1 semi-final win against Portugal.

Liverpool forward Roger Hunt was highly rated by Ramsey and played all the games.

The last player in the final line-up, Martin Peters had to fight for his place with Man Utd winger John Connelly. Connelly was in the line-up for the first game against Uruguay.

Peters was young and unexperienced and had only played three times before the finals.

The team used in the final against West Germany was identical with those used against Argentina and Portugal.

Ramsey played with this team in his next three games. The last time England played with the World Cup winning line-up was against Wales in November 1966.