My Sporting Life is The i Paper’s look behind the curtain at what drives sports stars to greatness. This week we speak to Sir Geoff Hurst, 60 years after his historic hat-trick helped secure England’s only World Cup.
I was happiest playing football, especially during my time with West Ham
Winning the FA Cup in 1964, the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 with a 2–0 victory over Bayern Munich, and of course the 1966 World Cup against West Germany; those three years were truly magical.
The lowest point in my career came when I left West Ham to join Stoke City
I didn’t want to go. West Ham was my home, the place where I felt I truly belonged. But the decision was made by the club, not me. Ron Greenwood accepted the £80,000 offer, and just like that, everything changed. Although I came to enjoy my time at Stoke, leaving West Ham was incredibly difficult.
My proudest moment was winning the World Cup on home soil at Wembley Stadium
Nothing comes close. The atmosphere, the occasion, and the pride of lifting the trophy in front of our own fans made it truly unforgettable. It was the pinnacle of my career and a moment I will cherish forever.
If I could do it all over again, the one thing I would change is leaving West Ham
It was my home, and I would have loved to have seen out my days there. Back then, players had little control over their destiny or future, very different from the game today.
I have no regrets in my career, except, perhaps, leaving West Ham
Every experience, both good and bad, has shaped who I am today. I always look back not with disappointment, but with a desire to learn and reflect. Those moments have helped me grow, both as a player and as a person, and continue to guide me in becoming better every day.
The best player I ever saw was, without doubt, Bobby Moore
He wasn’t the fastest or the fittest, but his ability to read the game and anticipate where the opposition would move gave him an extra yard that made him almost unstoppable. He was also a genuinely lovely person off the pitch, and to me, he remains the greatest English defender of all time.
The best player I ever faced was, without doubt, Pelé. While we’ve since seen greats like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona, Pelé was ahead of his time. His relentless speed, skill, and professionalism made him a constant threat and someone every opponent feared. Quite simply, he was world-class.
I never had any superstitions; I believed that good preparation and practice were all I needed
However, in the dressing room, there were some interesting routines. From wearing the same “lucky” pants to strict rituals about putting on socks and boots, some players genuinely believed it affected their performance. Sadly, I can’t name names… even though he’s no longer with us!
Fitness levels today are far superior, and the backroom staff and analytics available now are something we never had, or at least didn’t focus on as much.
However, the expectations of a forward have changed for the worse. In my career, I scored 249 league goals in 499 games; that’s nearly a goal every other match over 15 years. With the exception of Harry Kane, very few modern players come close to that level of consistency.
I wouldn’t have changed a thing
I was lucky to play in an era of great players – both teammates and opponents – who showed remarkable skill on the pitch and real personality off it. I’m also proud of the success I achieved for both club and country, and I loved every second of it.
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