1966 My World Cup Story

Fifty years on, the ultimate football and World Cup legend Sir Bobby Charlton looks back on England’s greatest sporting triumph

Wembley, 1966. England wins the World Cup to roars of a euphoric home crowd.

Sir Bobby Charlton, England’s greatest ever player, was there on the pitch. Now, half a century on, he looks back on the most glorious moment of his life and England's greatest sporting achievement.
In 1966, he takes us through the build-up to the tournament and to the final itself - what he saw, what he heard, what he felt. He tells us what it was like to be part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s team, his memories of his teammates, the matches, the atmosphere; the emotion of being carried on the wave of a nation’s euphoria and how it felt to go toe-to-toe with some of the foremost footballers to ever play the game.

His life has been forever defined by a single moment: one day when a man stood side-by-side with his best friends, united in a single aim in front of a watching nation. This is his story.

‘It’s gripping stuff… This is a mellow book, the product of many years’ contemplation, and emotional in a way that may surprise you…He has a wonderful story to tell’ Daily Mail

Having survived the trauma of the Munich air disaster aged just 20, Sir Bobby Charlton played as if every game was for his fallen colleagues, recovering from his injuries to reach the pinnacle for both Manchester United and England. Playing as an attacking midfielder Sir Bobby is regarded as one of the greatest footballers the game has ever seen. During his playing career that spanned twenty years hew on three League Championships, the FA Cup, the European Cup and the World Cup. With England he played in four World Cups scoring a then-record 49 goals. He is currently a director of Manchester United.