Channel 4 to show 1966 World Cup Final: Here’s the touching reason why

For the men who delivered England’s greatest footballing triumph, glory came at a cost.

The Three Lions’ 1966 World Cup win against West Germany was an iconic moment. The match brought joy to millions, ignited chaotic street parties all over the nation and gave birth to the legendary phrase; “They think it’s all over – it is now.”

But following that historic victory, several members of the 1966 World Cup team, including Martin Peters, Ray Wilson, and Nobby Stiles, passed away from dementia. Jack and Bobby Charlton also suffered from the disease before their deaths.

We can never know for certain how much heading the ball can be blamed for these diagnoses.

60 years since England won the World Cup, Channel 4 will show the historic match in full technicolour glory on Saturday, to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s Society and the work the charity does to help over 100,000 people living with dementia in the UK.

Sir Geoff Hurst will introduce the broadcast, alongside comedian David Baddiel.

A prominent advocate for dementia research, Sir Geoff has pledged to posthumously donate his brain to medical science to help researchers study the impact of heading footballs, and he has strongly supported a ban on children heading the ball.

In the programme he pays tribute to his teammates lost to the disease and meets meets Adron, who attended the 1966 World Cup Final, and now lives with dementia.

Lifelong England fan David Baddiel, who co-wrote football anthem ‘Three Lions’, is also an advocate for neurological research after losing his own father, Colin, to Pick’s disease, a rare form of frontotemporal dementia. 

Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor for Sport, Joe Blake Turner, says, ‘As we approach a World Cup summer, there’s no better time to relive England’s one and only victory with this special broadcast that will also raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Society.’

Highlights of the match will include extra time, a controversial goal, the crowd running onto the pitch and Queen Elizabeth II presenting England’s captain, Bobby Moore, with the golden Jules Rimet trophy. Older fans will remember the moment he wiped his muddy hands on the velvet balustrade of the Royal Box so he wouldn’t get her white gloves dirty.

As well as featuring England captain Harry Kane and other England stars, the programme will include calls to action on dementia and encourage the audience to donate to Alzheimer’s Society.

The number of viewers on Saturday evening is predicted to exceed that of the live broadcast itself.

’60 years ago, 32 million people, the largest ever audience in UK history, watched England win the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final in black and white,’ says Neil Canetty-Clarke, the Executive Producer.

‘We hope millions more will watch it in colour on Channel 4 on June 6 to celebrate the anniversary and support Alzheimer’s Society.’

The programme will be produced by Whisper and Final Replay. Anton Sensky, the Producer and Director for Whisper, says the project is a ‘deeply personal’ mission.

‘As primary carer for my mother, it was both emotional and cathartic to share this journey with David Baddiel, Sir Geoff Hurst and the Alzheimer’s Society,’ he reflects.

Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, adds:’It’s heartbreaking that many former players – and indeed fans – of the legendary 1966 World Cup team have been affected by dementia.

‘Their stories are a powerful reminder of why we must keep raising awareness and the funds needed to support people living with this devastating condition today while also working towards a better future.’

The 1966 FIFA World Cup Final In Colour, in partnership with SunLife, will air on Channel 4 at 4.45pm and Channel 4 Streaming on Saturday June 6.

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