Sir Geoff Hurst honoured with Freedom of the City of London
Sir Geoff Hurst has dedicated being honoured with the Freedom of the City of London to his World Cup-winning teammates. The 84-year-old was recognised for his outstanding sporting achievements for England and West Ham, which comes 60 years after Sir Alf Ramsey’s side beat West Germany 4-2 in the final at Wembley, reports BritPanorama.
Hurst scored a hat-trick in the final, becoming the first player to achieve the feat, a record only matched by Kylian Mbappe in 2022. Upon being recognised, Hurst expressed his gratitude, stating, “I feel honoured to have received the Freedom of the City of London at Guildhall.”
He reflected on the significance of the honour, saying, “It is something that I never expected to be offered, and I regard it as a great honour. Looking at all the other well-known people over hundreds of years is just fantastic.” Hurst also acknowledged that had the team lost, “my hat-trick wouldn’t have been noticed at all. It’s about the team winning.”
All of Hurst’s 10 teammates from the final have since passed away, leaving only Terry Paine and Ian Callaghan alive from the 1966 squad. Hurst noted the impact of loss, sharing that six of the 10 players died due to complications from dementia. He is currently supporting the charity Alzheimer’s Society and expressed hope for advancements in medical research relating to the illness.
Hurst shared poignant memories, stating, “I look at the pictures of my team with great sadness that [my teammates] are no longer here. It affects every single person around the family, and you hear some really heartbreaking stories.”
Former West Ham captain Mark Noble attended the ceremony and praised Hurst’s legacy, stating, “Geoff’s done so much for this country and for our club.” Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London and one of Hurst’s nominators, added, “For West Ham supporters like me, his contribution in claret and blue will always have a place in our history and in the hearts of Hammers fans everywhere.”
Several other footballers have received the same honour in the past, including Ian Wright and Harry Kane, with the entire Euro 2022-winning England women’s team also recognised. Hurst’s acknowledgment is a fitting testament to a career that has left an indelible mark on English football.
In an age where the past often dictates terms in both sport and society, Hurst’s honour serves as a vivid reminder of the enduring legacy of 1966 — a chapter firmly etched in the national consciousness, even as the tides of memory drift further away.
