1966 and all that

30th July (yesterday) marked the 50th anniversary of the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, the greatest ever moment for the England national football team.

There have been plenty of events to mark the half century and an overwhelming nostalgia that has been a bit of a diversion from the embarrassing fact that in the intervening period the nation has been a flop on the pitch in competitive tournaments.

The iconic words of the TV commentator, Kenneth Wolstenholme, in the final seconds of the Final have been resonating across the airwaves in recent days and most of us can do a pretty good rendition of "They think it's all over.....etc, etc".

The BBC TV coverage was not the only media broadcast on that day and for those, and there were still a good proportion in the mid 1960's, who did not own or have sight of a television the radio gave access to all of the action.

I was not aware of the radio broadcast of the Final until a couple of days ago when it was made available on the internet.

The two man team included Brian Moore, one of the main presenters whom I grew up watching in the 1970's and 1980's on commercial ITV and Maurice Edelston.

I thought it would be a fitting tribute to the World Cup Anniversary to attempt to transcribe the first 13 minutes of the commentary or at least in an abridged way in real time with the emphasis on the actual passages of play and the interaction between the players on each team.

There is one player out of the twenty two who started the game who does not seem to get a mention in the first 13 minutes. See if you can work out who it is.

West Germany kick off with Haller on a damp and skiddy turf following rain, foul play with free kick Bobby Moore gets the ball to Ray Wilson, given away to Haller, then to Peters and Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles, unmarked, takes the first shot but blocked by Weber . Emmerich to Beckenbauer deep in his own half, Overath blocked by George Cohen then to Moore, Hurst, Peters towards the penalty area, to Bobby Charlton then Peters again but out for a goal kick.

Taken by keeper Tilkowski to Schnellinger with long ball intercepted by Moore, Alan Ball moving forward, one two between Hunt and Cohen but into touch. Schnellinger takes throw in to Shultz in the sweeper role, pass to Held, but tackled by Moore, bounces to Emmerich, Held then shoots wide with 2 minutes gone. He was offside although weaknesses in the England defence exploited. Free kick follows.

Emmerich loses to Stiles, Cohen misplaced pass to Held. Jack Charlton collects and crosses to Moore, to Hunt then Hurst blocked by Weber, Schnellinger to Held and inside to Emmerich. Cut out by Stiles passing to Alan Ball then Bobby Charlton. Beckenbauer steals and spots Schnellinger through to Emmerich, inside to Halle and Weber who catches Wilson in the defence unawares but out of play.

Throw in by Halle to Schnellinger, Wolfgang Weber loses to Wilson with loose ball finding Moore, Jack Charlton in defence, not much composure and Moore again but beaten by Hottges and Beckenbauer but out of play.

Throw in by Jack Charlton, Stiles who tries to shoot. Halle collects, plays to Weber in the England penalty area then to Emmerich but well wide for another throw-in.

Alan Ball takes throw to Ray Wilson then Moore, Hurst looking for space and finds Peters, Hurst bad return, throw in again. Ball unable to pass Hottges who gives to Schultz and then back to black clad keeper Tilkowski.

Play reseumes and Stiles wins, he is one of England's heroes in the tournament, Moore to Wilson, Haller challenges, Stiles again to Peters, Hurst chases but Tilkowski gathers and throws out to Schnellinger on 6 minutes gone in the match and still no score ,0-0.

Beckenbauer tackled by Stiles and plays in Charlton who returns to Stiles, tries to shoot but cleared by Schulz. Jack Charlton in defence loses to Weber then to Haller who shoots hitting Wilson with Banks in the England goal only able to put it out for the first corner of the game on 7 minutes.

Haller takes, out by Jack Charlton to Alan Ball, to Hurst and Bobby Charlton, Hunt on the left , Hurst, Stiles, Hunt, Hurst collides with Tilkowski who goes down injured. Ball bobbing about in the penalty area. Whistle goes with keeper still down although under a fair challenge.

High tempo game with West German's man for man marking with Schnellinger on Alan Ball, Beckenbauer on Charlton and Weber on Hunt. Overath tries to let in Held but Jack Charlton to Ball to Peters who shoots across the goal with Tilkowski putting out for England's first corner. Magnificent shot by Peters and good save.

Corner met by Hunt on the volley but wide. The West Germans seem to fall over quite easily and are known for play acting and feigning injury. Weber told to get on with the game by the referee.

Tilkowski recovered. Held on to Haller who is fouled and earns a free kick 15 yards out.

Sparse England wall just Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst. Beckenbauer takes free kick. Out by Moore to Bobby Charlton, attack by Alan Ball with Charlton on the overlap, Peters shoots across and just past the post.

England have improved greatly during the Tournament with Peters coming into the side for the Uruguay game and finding his form.

Weber for West Germany to Schnellinger up to Held but headed out weakly by Wilson straight to Haller who shoots low through players and a flailing Banks to score for West Germany. A soft goal on 13 minutes after a bad mistake by Wilson. Not much power behind it but Banks seemed unsighted.

So West Germany first blood in this 1966 World Cup Final.