Catapulted to fame in only his eighth international, Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final. His final goal, 'They think it's all over ... It is now', has been played so many times that it has dominated his life ever since. This revealing and thoughtful autobiography shows that there is far more to the man than that one day. He relives the golden era in which he played, reveals some astonishing behind-the-scenes stories of events with England and his club sides that have never previously emerged, and he offers his authoritative views on the modern game.
This 40th anniversary edition has been updated to include Geoff Hurst's forthright views on England's performances in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, together with his thoughts on the current players and their chances in the World Cup in Germany of emulating the events at Wembley 40 years ago.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
How many "years of hurt" is it now? As England World Cup hero Geoff Hurst relates in his evocative, challenging autobiography 1966 and All That hardly a day goes by without someone reminding him of the hat-trick he scored in the Wembley Final that brought football "home" the last time.
The referee had the whistle in his mouth ... Bobby Moore, untroubled and completely in control as usual, chested the ball down, played a short pass to Alan Ball, received the return and looked upfield to see where to play it next. I remember Jack Charlton screaming at him, "Kick the f****** thing out of the ground!"
Moore didn't, of course. With the final seconds ticking away he conjured a perfect pass to the galloping Hurst--the young West Ham striker with just seven international caps, who found himself spearheading Alf Ramsey's "wingless wonders" in English football's biggest ever game.
The rest you probably think you know, but 1966 and All That is far from a rehash of rosy memories of the glory days. Hurst reflects on the "Ramsey years" with a critical eye, relating it all with refreshing candour--Ramsey's fierce loyalty to his players, matched only by his failure to grasp the first principles of public and personal relations; the anguish of Jimmy Greaves, the man Hurst controversially replaced; England's rise and fall, which saw Ramsey sacked in 1974--along the way revealing sides of legends like Pele, Beckenbauer, Banks and the Charltons, that put flesh on the fables, including the inside take on one of the most bizarre stories in World Cup history, when England captain Moore was arrested for jewellery theft at the 1970 tournament.
There's also plenty of fascinating, forthright stuff on the "forgotten" Hurst--his phenomenal scoring record at club level, (though spending the bulk of his career at West Ham and Stoke kept medals to a minimum); a management career which will probably be best remembered for an acrimonious dismissal by Chelsea, that ended up in the courts; and his involvement in promoting England's 2006 World Cup bid, which provides a revealing glimpse at the political machinery driving football's world authorities.
Hurst has plenty to say--not least on the England players who have inherited the weight of expectation he helped create in 1966--and the status accorded to a living sporting legend gives him the licence to speak freely. It's a combination that makes for engrossing reading. --Alex Hankin
'Stands out from the standard ghosted autobiographies...the period detail gives it huge charm' Simon Barnes, The Times (Simon Barnes, The Times)
Riveting (Mike Pattenden, The Times)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Catapulted to fame in only his eighth international, Geoff Hurst scored a hat trick against West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final. His final goal, 'They think it's all over .It is now', has been played so many times that it has dominated his life ever since. This revealing and thoughtful autobiography shows that there is far more to the man than that one day. He relives the golden era in which he played, reveals some astonishing behind-the-scenes stories of events with England and his club sides that have never previously emerged, and he offers his authoritative views on the modern game. This 40th anniversary edition has been updated to include Geoff Hurst's forthright views on England's performances in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, together with his thoughts on the current players and their chances in the World Cup in Germany of emulating the events at Wembley 40 years ago. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003069387
Quantity: 4 available
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780755314775
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Condition: VeryGood. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Seller Inventory # wbs8282108645
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0002283273
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0006154998
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Bahamut Media, Reading, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. Shipped within 24 hours from our UK warehouse. Clean, undamaged book with no damage to pages and minimal wear to the cover. Spine still tight, in very good condition. Remember if you are not happy, you are covered by our 100% money back guarantee. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780755314775
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Used; Very Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Seller Inventory # CHL1375166
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Seller Inventory # CHL5032405
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Condition: Very Good. 40th Anniversary edition. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 50379316-20
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Brit Books, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Used; Very Good. ***Simply Brit*** Welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there is something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality. Seller Inventory # 3582984
Quantity: 5 available