***When Alf Ramsey took over as the England manager on May 1, 1963, he gave an interview to a local reporter in Ipswich, where he was ending a successful eightyear spell with Ipswich Town. "England will win the World Cup in 1966", said Ramsey. This remark came to haunt him over the next three years as he tried to mould an England team that would have at least a sporting chance.***

ALF Ramsey’s "Wingless Wonders" brought off a spectacular win over the ruthless Germans at Wembly with two controversial goals by Geoff Hurst who scored a hat-trick, in the extra-time. The first was a header from a free-kick quickly taken while Dienst. the referee, was admonishing a German, the second hit the bar and came down so fast that the official had to consult his Russian linesman. Bakhramov. who was badly positioned 10 yards from the goalline; the third in the dying minutes, came with three spectators running inside the opposite touch -line.

Taking charge of the team Ramsey soon sorted out his defence. giving caps to George Cohen. Jack Charlton and Nobby Stiles. With Gordon Banks. Ray Wilson and skipper Bobby Moore, he had a flrm base. Bobby Charlton and Jimmy treaves were established up front.

However, it was among the wingers that the manager had his Biggest problems. By the 3uarter-finals Ramsey had ispensed with wingers altogether. and Geoff Hurst Anally came into his own as a re-plaoement foe--the- injured Greaves. Ramsey's team of "Wingless Wonders" was complete.

In a tournament of cynical tackling, with players apparently fouling in rotation, five men were sent off; two Argentines. two Uruguayans and one Russian. Four of the dismissals were against the often provocative West Germany; the other culprit. Argentine captain Antonio Rattin, was sent off by a German referee for 'violence of the tongue'.

England showed only flashes in their group games, being easily contained by a defensive Uruguay and beating a poor Mexican side and an injury-hit French outfit, both by two clear goals. In group 2. Argentina and West Germany also settled for a draw to ensure that the top two places would not be unrealistic.

However, group 3 appeared to be the strongest. Hungary and Portugal half looked attractive in pre-World Cup games. Bulgaria were tough and Brazil still had Pele. But he was singled out for roughing-up treatment by the Bulgarians in the opening

match. Brazil won by two freekicks — one by Garrincha. who had lost his speed, the other from Pele.

The Portuguese combination of Mario Coluna's midfield scheming, the giant Jose Torres up front and the athleticism of Eusebio proved too much for Hungary. But the "Mighty Magyars" did better against a Brazil without Pele.

The real shock came in group 4. where the unknown North Koreans humiliated Italy. Reduced by injury to ten men after 35 minutes, the Italians fell behind to a goal from Park Doo Ik Just three minutes before half time and never recovered. The North Koreans progressed behind the USSR who topped the group.

In the quarter-final at Wembly. Argentina's spoiling tactics upset referee Rudolf Kreitlein more than the England players. Someone had to go. Captain Rattin argued over every decision and once too often; Kreitlein ordered him off. Unfortunately it took eight minutes to persuade him to leave. Incredibly. Argentina dominated till the 78th minute when Hurst headed home from Peters' cross.

England's semi-final against Portugal was a classic match of clean, good football. Stiles managed to keep Eusebio reasonably quiet and Bobby Charlton was finding more space for his forays from midfield to the Portuguese penalty area. In the 31st minute Charlton opened the score for England and ten minutes from end he scored a great second running on to a ball pulled back by Hurst (2-0). Eusebio converted a penalty as Jack Charlton fisted the ball from under the bar (2-1). the first goal the great Gordon Banks had conceded in the tournament.

West Germany defeated the USSR in the other semifinal by an Identical margin in a match that turned on an Incident just before half time. The Soviets' Chislenko seemed to be badly foqled. but the referee ignored it and the West Germans carried on to open the scoring. On resumption. the incensed Chislenko kicked the first German he came across and was sent off.

The final opened badly for England before a partisan crowd of 93.000 at Wembly. Only after 13 minutes of the opening. Haller scored from an attempted Wilson clearance. However six minutes later Moore’s free-kick was headed home by Hurst. With 12 minutes to go. a Hurst shot was blocked and Martin Peters slammed the ball in 2-1. England were almost home.

But the Germans scored the equaliser in the dying seconds. A disputed free-kick against Jack Charlton found its way across the England goal — via a , German, hano —-and Webber-petted from close in. Extra time was necessary.

England's goal after 10 minutes of extra time by Hurst remains the biggest of all World Cup controversies. Hurst's shot eluded the German keeper Tilkowsky and hit the crossbar and bounced down almost straight and then bounced up and out of goal. There was heart-throbbing delay as Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst consulted his Russian linesman Tofik Bakhramov who signalled towards the centre spot (3-2). The goal is still argued about today, and film evidence, while inconclusive, veers towards the German view that the ball did not cross the goal-line.

But in the last minute. Moore floated a long clearance to Hurst, who ran on and hit a fabulous fourth for his hat-trick. England had won 4-2.

Ramsey's prophecy was fulfilled and the country that gave football to the world had finally won the World Cup.

Source: Football Chronicle and the World Cup..