What happened to England's 1966 shirts?
England's 1966 World Cup win remains their sole triumph on the greatest footballing stage. The enduring symbol of that victory has come to be the simple red shirts worn by those who made it on to manager Alf Ramsey's team sheet, but where are these "national treasures" now?BBC commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme's words rang out on TV sets across the nation as Geoff Hurst fired the ball high into the West Germany net, ensuring England would lift the Jules Rimet Trophy.
"As time has gone on, they have become national treasures. [Midfielder] Martin Peters said swapping his shirt was the biggest regret of his life." When midfielders Alan Ball and Nobby Stiles exchanged jerseys during the lap of honour, no-one would have expected Stiles's shirt to make its way into the window display of a Bolton television shop.
The man who purchased it was Nigel Wray, former owner of Saracens Rugby Club. It was not his first '66 final shirt, though. Nor would it be his last. "The Cohen shirt I find remarkable as I've also got his nephew Ben Cohen's from the 2003 rugby union World Cup final. Two Englishmen from the same family winning World Cups. Amazing. I don't believe it will be done again."Geoff Hurst's third goal - and England's fourth - was immortalised by Kenneth Wolstenholme's commentary
For his part, Wray is adamant the shirts should not be hidden away. The trio in his possession form part of his staggering Priory Collection, which he describes as featuring "Britain's great sporting moments". "You often hear 'what a shame these guys have to sell'. I suppose if you've got three children, like Nobby Stiles, then what do you do? You can't cut a shirt into three. It must be difficult for players."Queen Elizabeth II presented captain Bobby Moore with the Jules Rimet Trophy
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