Geoff Hurst's Greats

Half a century on from his Wembley hat-trick, England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst risks controversy as he narrows down football's finest to a select 50. Which of his 1966 teammates have earned their place among the all-time greats? Would he have had Franz Beckenbauer in his XI ahead of Bobby Moore? What are his memories of playing against Pelé and Eusébio? And which England stars of later generations would Sir Geoff have loved to play alongside? With first-hand tales of former teammates and rivals, along with tributes to those he's admired from the terraces, Geoff Hurst's Greats is essential reading for football fans of all ages.

Sir Geoff Hurst MBE is the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final - for England in their historic 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley in 1966. Having shown an early flair for cricket - playing a first-class match for Essex against Lancashire in 1962 - Hurst opted for a career in football, and with West Ham United he scored 248 goals in 499 first team appearances. There he won the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners' Cup 1965. He was selected by Alf Ramsey to lead England's attack between 1966 and 1972 - the longest run of any forward under Ramsey, scoring 24 goals in that time.