We would like to express our sadness at the death of World Cup-winner Roger Hunt MBE at the age of 83.
Hunt played in every game as England lifted the World Cup on home soil in 1966, as his incredible work rate proved invaluable to manager Sir Alf Ramsey.
The forward was also a member of the 1962 World Cup squad and only lost twice for the national team during 34 appearances for his country.
A Liverpool legend, Lancashire-born Hunt scored 18 times for England but he offered the team so much more than just goals. As fellow World Cup-winner Martin Peters said, “we all knew Roger would run his socks off for the team”.
At club level, Hunt is still Liverpool’s second highest goalscorer of all time, with 285 goals in 492 games for the Reds, where he was affectionately called ‘Sir Roger’.
After joining the Anfield club from a local amateur team as a 21 year old, Hunt would become an integral part of Bill Shankly’s side, as he helped guide the Reds back to the top flight with 41 goals in 41 games.
His strike partnership with Ian St John is a thing of legend on the Kop and he was top scorer for Liverpool when they won the First Division title in 1964 and again in 1966.
Sandwiched in-between, Hunt also scored the opening goal in Liverpool’s first FA Cup win in 1965, when they beat Leeds United 2-1 after extra time.
Hunt was given his England debut by Walter Winterbottom in 1962 and after being a squad member for the 1962 World Cup, he had become indispensable for Sir Alf by the time to 1966 tournament came around.
His impact on England winning the World Cup cannot be understated, as he scored three goals in three group games and offered so much more with his strength, speed and incredible work rate.
Hunt received a deserved MBE in 2000 and was inducted into the National Football Museum Hall Of Fame in 2006.
"English football has lost another great with the passing of Roger Hunt," said FA CEO Mark Bullingham.
"On behalf of the FA, our thoughts are with his family and friends today. Twice a league champion with Liverpool, either side of a memorable FA Cup success in 1965, Roger will always be treasured by fans across the country as one of our World Cup winners of 1966.
"He will forever be remembered at Wembley Stadium and we will pay tribute to his memory before our home fixture with Hungary next month."
