The FA officially renamed the road leading to St. George’s Park Sir Alf Ramsey Way to commemorate the former England manager and his achievements with the national team.
Sir Alf Ramsey is the only England manager to date to successfully guide his team to victory in a World Cup, beating West Germany 4-2 after extra-time at Wembley Stadium on 30 July 1966.
The event at the national football centre was the culmination of a series of initiatives either led or supported by The FA to commemorate the 50th anniversary of England’s momentous World Cup win.
Chair of St. George’s Park David Sheepshanks was joined by FA Board Member and Vice-Chairman David Gill as they led tributes to Sir Alf at a private event attended by Sir Geoff Hurst, Roger Hunt, George Cohen, Jimmy Armfield and Norman Hunter.
Family members represented many of the ’66 players who were unable to attend.
Hurst, who famously scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final, said: “Sir Alf was a modest man but a respected leader.
“As players he kept us all on our toes and we knew no one was guaranteed a place in the team.
“It’s fitting that his legacy both as a coach, and as a man, will be remembered here in the wonderful facility that is St. George’s Park.”
Lady Victoria Ramsey, Sir Alf’s widow, was unable to travel to attend the event, but will be sent mementoes of the day.
Acknowledgements of this commemorative year began back in January with an event held at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington to mark the 50th anniversary of the World Cup draw in 1966.
The FA announced in May that it would make 66 individual awards of £1,966 to grassroots projects and charities throughout the country, to ensure the legacy of England’s 1966 World Cup win extends far beyond this year’s 50th anniversary.
Among the recipients are charities nominated by the 1966 players, including Find A Better Way, the anti-landmine charity founded by Sir Bobby Charlton in 2011.
Last week, Fulham Football Club unveiled a statue of club legend and 1966 player George Cohen MBE at Craven Cottage, funded in part by of one of The FA’s ’66 for 66’ anniversary grants.
