1966 and All That: My Autobiography

by Geoff Hurst

Geoff Hurst's unique hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final catapulted him to international superstardom and changed his life forever. Now, in this updated edition of his long-awaited and bestselling autobiography, he recalls England's greatest sporting moment, and reveals the inside story of what it was like playing with and against some of the greatest names in history - Pele, Moore, Beckenbauer and Charlton. His assessment of today's superstars, packed with insight from one of the game's true legends, must be read, as England look to the future with an exciting young squad.

Genres: Football, Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, Autobiography

433 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Neil Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight into the life of a hero.

Geoff Hurst is still the only Englishman to know what it feels like to score the winning goal in the world cup final for England.

But I have to be honest and say that I didn't know much else about the man so it was good to find out some of the following:

- Player manager at Telford United
- Managed Chelsea
- Coached in Kuwait
- Sold Insurance
- Never got the match ball in the world cup final. (Richard Branson was then involved in reuniting him with the ball from the German that had taken it home)

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Also a true autobiography, without the collaboration of a professional writer. Sir Geoff Hurst's '1966 And All That' is packed with detail and rich in memories of English football's finest hour. Hurst's career at West Ham along side Moore and Peters as well as covering the English national side under Ramsey are the highlights of this book.
There are so many words of wisdom in this memoir, on a personal as well as professional level. Hurst has many wise observations of the English game, it's management and the 'suits' at Lancaster Gate, also including the modern game and it's players.
I first saw Hurst play for West Ham in the F.A. Cup semi-final at Hillsborough in 1964, and many times since. A great striker, whose career hit the peak at Wembley in 1966. A hat trick in the World Cup final encapsulated his skill. The first with his head, the second with his right foot and the third, a screamer with his left.
Perhaps his autobiog could have been pruned down slightly from it's four hundred and twenty pages, but a great trip down memory lane.

[The Villan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read and written in a conversational style as if talking with Geoff Hurst himself. Some footballers biographies can be very dry or too detailed with stats but this book handled it really well. I was only 5 when England won the World Cup and I doubt I watched the match but I have seen the recordings and keep hoping that we’ll have a team in my lifetime who will lift the trophy one day.

[Brian Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, brought back memories of standing in the Chicken Run watching The Hammers. Also remember them coming to play our school 1st team pre season. Phil Woosnam was our physics teacher arranged it.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good on 1966. Less good on All That.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book about the west ham and England legend

[Mike Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amateurish essay of an autobiography.
On the plus side this guarantees authenticity.
Audiobook sincerely narrated by the author in a similarly amateurish fashion.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

60 years and counting.

[Jakub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an enjoayble break from the world of fiction. A quite on time with the World Cup starting today. Geoff Hurst is on of the players that will be long remembered - a hattrick in the WC final is a special thing. Especially against the (West) Germans. Quite a lot insight into to the game of the 60s and 70s, a look into the sporting culture and star status. But most of all Hurst seems to be a nice guy, a proper model for young players.

[Andrew Ives · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any interest in football - domestic, international, European - or want to know what it must be like to be a World Cup hero, playing alongside and against football's legends, you'll love this book. I found this autobiography to be everything I hoped it would be and more. Wonderful.

[Theknittingwhippet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had to buy and read this after seeing Sir Geoff at Hay this year. A very well written and interesting read, from a genuine nice guy.

[Andi Garbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into the only footballer to score a hat-trick in the World Cup Final.