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Ex-Chelsea manager Geoff Hurst becomes object of German Brexit lobbying

By George Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst opens the new Getty Images exhibition at Wembley Stadium on September 3, 2014 in London, England. The new Getty Images exhibition at Wembley Stadium connected by EE showcases over a century of historic events and memories at the national stadium. The exhibition - which features over 100 images from the venues unparalleled history - is free as part of the Wembley Tour and to Club Wembley members on event days, with members of the public able to visit from tomorrow (4 September) (Photo by Miles Willis - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst opens the new Getty Images exhibition at Wembley Stadium on September 3, 2014 in London, England. The new Getty Images exhibition at Wembley Stadium connected by EE showcases over a century of historic events and memories at the national stadium. The exhibition - which features over 100 images from the venues unparalleled history - is free as part of the Wembley Tour and to Club Wembley members on event days, with members of the public able to visit from tomorrow (4 September) (Photo by Miles Willis - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) /
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Former Chelsea manager Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup goal has always been a sore point in football relations with Germany. One German newspaper is prepared to reconcile in return for a “Remain” vote on Brexit.

German newspaper Bild is pulling out all the stops in their lobbying ahead of the Brexit referendum. The tabloid offered a series of concessions they will make if the United Kingdom votes to remain in the European Union. Among them, they will admit that former Chelsea manager Geoff Hurst really did score his second goal in the 1966 World Cup final.

Hurst’s controversial goal has haunted German football for 50 years. England won their only World Cup title by defeating Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium. Hurst potted three of the Three Lions’ goals for the only hat trick in a World Cup final match. For half a century, Germany has denied that Hurst’s second goal (England’s third) crossed the line after clanging straight down off the cross-bar.

Possibly without regard for the voting preferences of German football fans, Bild is ready to concede their dispute if the United Kingdom votes to remain in the European Union.

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Geoff Hurst managed Chelsea for two seasons in 1979-1981 when the Blues were in the Second Division (now known as the Championship). Hurst led the club to a 35W – 19D – 27L record, but was sacked after failing to secure Chelsea’s promotion to the First Division.

Hurst saw considerably more success as a player, winning an FA Cup and a European Cup Winners’ Cup over the course of a 13-year spell at West Ham United. Hurst then played for Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion before leaving for Cork Celtic in Ireland.

Hurst was also a trailblazer of sorts, staking out a career progression that is back en vogue today among England’s top players. After merely three appearances for Cork, Hurst crossed the pond and finished his playing career with a one-year stint at the Seattle Sounders.*

Later, after leaving Chelsea, Hurst concluded his managerial career at Kuwait SC in the Kuwait Premier League.

Bild could have made a stronger pitch if they had proposed that voting “Remain” would break England’s apparent World Cup curse of the intervening 50 years. The “Hurst curse” could take its place alongside the Curse of the Bambino, as many English football fans may well be willing to let their decision be swayed by the prospect of advancing past the quarterfinals at some point in their lifetime.

Next: Radja Nainggolan subtly hints at Chelsea transfer

*These were not the Major League Soccer Seattle Sounders of today, but the North American Soccer League’s Seattle Sounders of yesteryear. And that was not the North America Soccer League of today, but a different league of the same name that folded in 1985.

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