England has claimed the Jules Rimet Trophy just once in their illustrious footballing history so obviously the win in 1966 was a big deal in a number of ways. Winning it all in 1966 was about more than football; it was a major milestone in the country’s modern history. It’s been the subject of many articles and books, but none have been of this caliber, depth, and quality until now.
Every possible angle and perspective is explored in John Hughson’s England and the 1966 World Cup: A Cultural History. It’s a text that would definitely be enjoyed by academics and football supporters alike. It has the style intellectuals would enjoy and the content that football fans crave. It’s truly the perfect mix.
The focus on the World Cup for content is an important one as there has been only one trophy in fourteen appearances and it doesn’t get much better when you look at the European Championship. The best result there was third place (twice in 1968 and 1996) in nine appearances. Winning the World Cup was a major event and understanding the political, social, and sporting context surrounding it makes it much more meaningful. This was, after all, a unique (and turbulent) time all over the world.
Like rival Argentina, England has frequently tied its national identity to the success of the national team. You can imagine that a win represented a peak in national pride, something that couldn’t be followed up on. 1966 has become a bit of a sporting myth, something that seems to be a bit out of reach for England in the current sporting environment.
We really enjoyed Hughson’s discussion of manager Alf Ramsey and the iconic photos found throughout the text. Ramsey is obviously one of the most discussed figures in English football history, while the photos complement the content in a meaningful way.
Sadly, it is unlikely that England will win the World Cup any time soon so fans and supporters of the the Three Lions will have to enjoy this piece of history. There will be plenty of time to dissect the victory and discuss the many dimensions of this amazing victory. And this book is a great opportunity to do just that as it is the definitive text on England’s run in the unforgettable 1966 World Cup.
