Saturday 30th July 1966, Wembley Stadium, London. The Birth of Modern Football?

Saturday 30^th July 1966, Wembley Stadium, London. The day England reached the pinnacle of world football and wrote their names in the history books. Sir Alf Ramsey’s side were taken to extra time by a last minute goal from Wolfgang Weber, but eventually came out triumphant through two Geoff Hurst goals. Captain Bobby Moore lifted the trophy in front of a 90,000 strong England home contingent. This moment, the most precious of all, is seen by many as the birth of modern football as we see it today. Since that day England haven’t won the  World Cup or even the Euro’s. Trophyless and in some respects hopeless people compare the team’s failure back to the 66 team. These footballers that won a trophy only a select few pro’s can ever get their hands on and were paid as little as £8 a week. Compared to footballers these days, its staggering. Euphoria blanketed the nation and many families up and down the country held street parties and garden parties to celebrate this momentous day. In the words of my granddad John ‘I got blind drunk and the atmosphere on the streets and in the pubs were equal to those after the war’. England for years admired the likes of  Brazil, Italy and West Germany dominate world football, but now it was their, our, time.

Four three three.

The formation used by so many successful teams in todays age was what Sir Alf Ramsey’s team used on that great day at Wembley. Four three three. Since, teams like Roma and most significantly Barcelona have set their teams akin to Ramsey’s 66 team. It was the first time this formation had been used with a championing effect. An escape from the classic four four two was almost revolutionary it gave the midfield dominance while still having plenty of players in attack. Bobby Charlton is quoted in a Channel 5 documentary saying ‘and the year after everyone was playing 4-3-3 system even if they didn’t have the players to do it’. Signifying the effect this team had. The formation gave coaches a new lease of life. Getting away with playing three main strikers while still not being massively exposed in the midfield.

Ramsey and his team’s victory had a long term effect on world football but also internally within England. Participation in grass roots football rose and watching the football became something for the whole family. This final was the first one to be televised in colour. These days every football match is in colour and sometimes even 3-D. This being a revolutionary step for sports media shows footballs first step into the modern game.   

Kieran Topson