The 1966 World Cup team cemented themselves as national heroes by bringing home one of, if not the greatest prize in all of sport over half a decade ago.
Of those who made up Sir Alf Ramsey’s legendary England team, the greatest contributor was Sir Geoff Hurst, who is still the only player to ever score a hattrick in a men’s World Cup final.
Now, Sir Geoff is looking to give fans who were alive to see it an entirely different kind of gift.
It’s no secret that as energy prices and the wider cost of living crisis continues, the winter months are going to be difficult for many of us, especially older people across the nation.
We’ve heard heart-wrenching stories of pensioners riding buses to stay warm, foodbanks being more necessary than ever and even ‘warm banks‘ being set up. With that in mind, Geoff is hoping to do his bit to help feed some of those in need.
In partnership with Greene King pubs, the 80-year-old England icon is launching a competition for 66 fans aged 66+ to receive a £100 gift card to eat at any of their 3,100 locations across the UK, along with a framed certificate as a keepsake.
Credit: Greene King
So, those who were 10 or older when England won in ’66 will be eligible for the competition and with the chain’s affordable menu, will be able to fuel themselves whilst watching this year’s winter World Cup without having to worry about the purse strings.
The man himself said “the World Cup is so much more than a football tournament, it’s a moment that unites the country and brings together friends and families in support of our team.
“This competition is a special thank you to reward fans from 1966, letting them enjoy the 2022 World Cup in style, plus they may just be the lucky charm we need to see us back to glory!”
Greene King Sports’ Chris Conchie said in a statement: “As the home of pub sport, we wanted to give the longest-serving England fans something to cheer about as we head towards the World Cup, sharing their first-hand experiences of one of the greatest sporting moments in England’s history.” Well in, lads.
For a chance of winning, guests can enter themselves or nominate a worthy friend or relative by entering the competition HERE, selecting their local pub and completing the entry form by 31st October.
Those of pensioner status fortunate enough to be chosen will be their pubs designated ‘Lucky Fan’ and given a safe space, along with plenty of hot meals as they sit back and watch the tournament.
Let’s bring it home, boys.
Featured Image — Greene King
Sport
Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently
Danny Jones
Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Danny Jones -
6th October 2022 
