World Cup hero Geoff Hurst ‘went on dole’ when he retired
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The former striker, 80, remains the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final – yet was forced to sign on the dole when he retired. Sir Geoff said many people did not recognise him and some did not believe it when he revealed his identity.
As England’s multi-millionaire superstars prepare for the Qatar World Cup later this month, Sir Geoff described a very different time.
Recalling how he had to join the dole queue, he said: “I didn’t feel bad about it. Not for a second.
“It wasn’t the end of the world. As my wife said about me, ‘You take things on the chin and get on with it’.”
Speaking ahead of a new documentary about his life, Sir Geoff told Radio Times how he became an insurance salesman – but admitted one potential client said: “If you’re Geoff Hurst, I’m Marilyn Monroe.”
The former West Ham United star’s insurance career began with him knocking on doors trying to get people to sign up.
He said: “I did well. I stayed in it for almost 20 years. I worked very hard to make a success of it.
“I was never bitter about the past. I was concentrating 100 per cent on a new life and a new business – and it went well.”
Sir Geoff’s hat-trick in England’s 4-2 Wembley win over West Germany in 1966 is a feat that has never been matched.
But, at one formal reception after his playing days ended, he revealed a fellow guest asked him where he was on that memorable day.
He told the magazine he never gets tired of people talking about the match and his goals.
He added: “I don’t get fed up with that. People bring it up all the time, and why not? It was a great day, and I’ve heard so many lovely stories about where people were and what they were doing.” The only other surviving 1966 players are Sir Bobby Charlton and George Cohen.
Sir Geoff will be more than happy if England’s top striker Harry Kane matches him next month, saying he will tell him: “Well done, Harry.”
Sir Geoff added: “I’ve had a damn good run. I’ve had as good a run as anyone on the planet.”
The World Cup winner is the subject of a new Sky documentary about his life, entitled Hurst: The First and Only.
In the programme, he describes several personal tragedies. His younger brother Robert took his own life in 1974 and his daughter Claire died from a brain tumour, aged 46, 12 years ago.
He said: “You’re never completely free from grief. For years I couldn’t talk about it. I can now.”
- Hurst: The First and Only, Sky Showcase, Sunday, 7pm
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