Geoff Hurst

West Ham striker GeofF Hurst, knighted in 1998, has the proud distinction of being the only man ever to score a hat-trick in a World Cup Final - and the only first-class cricketer to w'in a World Cup medal at football. He batted for Essex against Lancashire in 1962, and, of course, played for England in their 1966 victory over West Germany

Over 400 games for the Hammers

The 24-year-old Hurst had come into form at exactly the right time - even if many Germans still believe his second goal, which came off the underside of the bar; never crossed the line, He hadn’t even played in England’s opening game of the tournament, but having taken the place of the injured jimmy Greaves and scored the winner against Argentina in the quarter-final, he kept his place.

Between 1959 and 1972, Hurst made over 400 League appearances for the Hammers, helping them to win the FA

Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup the following year In 1972 he moved to Stoke City, then after a period at West Bromwich Albion, went into management and helped with the national squad.

Above: Gordon Banks takes control in the World Cup Final, Banks did not concede a goal in the competition until the semi-final against Portugal.

Opposite: Jimmy Greaves puts an arm around the exhausted Alan Ball as the victorious England team leave the pitch. Greaves had played in the opening round of the competition but was replaced by Hurst when Greaves’ form dipped.