- Hardcover: 308 pages
- Publisher: Headline Book Publishing; 1st edition (23 Aug 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0747241759
- ISBN-13: 978-0747241751
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
845,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #93 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Football > British > Football Clubs > West Ham United
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Review
'Stands out from the standard ghosted autobiographies ... the period detail gives it huge charm' -- Simon Barnes, The Times 20011121 'Riveting' -- Mike Pattenden, The Times 20010929 'Refreshing to read a football biography with genuine, intelligent insight' -- Waterstone's Books Quarterly 20010929
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The old Footy autobiography? Often maligned, but of late some cracking football literature has improved the profile. Geoff Hurst has much to say and for me much of it was interesting and warrated. This is a well written book and very readable. The backbone of the story is of course 1966 and the hat-trick - did it cross the line or didn't it? The structure of the book was such that it jumped around and not only discussed Mr Hursts life but his views on the current set-up of the game.
The man comes across as a gent and I for one feel that his career alone deserves this book. Very Good - a true role model.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I went to a book signing by the legend himself. He was a perfect gentleman. I expected the book to be predominantly 1966 but it was a lot more than that. What came out for me was his love for his wife and children. Football was his life but his wife and children always came first. I bought this book for a piece of history. I started reading and couldn't put it down. This would be good read for football and non football fans alike.
Format:Hardcover
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.
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