Could the 60 years of hurt finally be coming to an end?
We are all hoping so!
One thing that never changes, however, are the real heroes at the grassroots clubs who develop the champions of tomorrow. We take a look back at the 1966 squad and their grassroots clubs.
The times may have changed, but the process of developing the future stars hasn’t.
Gordon Banks (Goalkeeper, Leicester City) – Rawmarsh Welfare and Millmoor Juniors.
Peter Bonetti (Goalkeeper, Chelsea FC) – Played for local sides before joining Reading’s youth ranks.
Ron Springett (Goalkeeper, Sheffield Wednesday) – Developed in London amateur football before being signed by QPR.
Jack Charlton (Defender, Leeds United) – Ashington Colliery youth and Northumberland Schools.
George Cohen (Defender, Fulham FC) – Fulham youth academy.
Bobby Moore (Defender, West Ham United) – Rippleway House and East Ham Boys, before being scouted by West Ham.
Ray Wilson (Defender, Everton FC) – Shirebrook Colliery and local amateur leagues.
Gerry Byrne (Defender, Liverpool FC) – Liverpool Schoolboys.
Norman Hunter (Defender, Leeds United) – Knottingley Church Lads Brigade.
Bobby Charlton (Midfielder, Manchester United) – Hirst Park, Bedlington Juniors, and East Northumberland Schools.
Martin Peters (Midfielder, West Ham United) – Dagenham YMCA and Barking Schoolboys before West Ham’s youth system.
Nobby Stiles (Midfielder, Manchester United) – Collyhurst Lads Club.
Alan Ball (Midfielder, Blackpool FC) – Bolton Boys Federation, Ashton Grammar School, and Farnworth FC.
Ian Callaghan (Midfielder, Liverpool FC) – Speke Boys Club.
Geoff Hurst (Forward, West Ham United) – Chingford youth and Chelmsford Schoolboys.
Jimmy Greaves (Forward, Tottenham Hotspur) – Brimsdown Rovers and Essex Schools.
Roger Hunt (Forward, Liverpool FC) – Croft Youth Club, Stockton Heath, and Devizes Town.
John Connelly (Forward, Manchester United) – St. Helens Boys Club.
Terry Paine (Forward, Southampton FC) – Winchester City youth.
George Eastham (Forward, Arsenal FC) – Ards youth and Northern Irish junior setups.