The Interview: Just Football meets Sir Geoff Hurst

As I mentioned yesterday, I recently had the opportunity to sit down with World Cup 1966 winner, England legend (the word is perhaps thrown around over-zealously these days, but I think in this case it applies) and the only man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, Sir Geoff Hurst.

Sir Geoff was speaking as part of the publicity campaign for the Royal Mint World Cup Medal, and fortunately for me I was invited to sit down and have a chat with the man.

The interview was really relaxed, as you will hear. Given Hurst is a World Cup winner, for England no less, I was perhaps expecting a brief interview slot with a pushy publicist pressing me to get on with it all. Instead, I was able to sit down with Sir Geoff and have an in-depth, leisurely chat.

We speak about, amongst other things, the current England squad, football in the era of mass media exposure, how Sir Alf Ramsey would have dealt with the John Terry vs Wayne Bridge saga, who might excel in South Africa, West Ham and, of course, 1966. Away from football Sir Geoff also offers some compelling words of inspiration, garnered from his days as a motivational speaker. If you’re drifting along and in need of some motivational impetus, listen on.

I know I’m the one who conducted the interview, so you might think ‘well he would say that’, but it really is an engaging interview and well worth a listen. I should also point out it was conducted prior to the final England World Cup squad announcement (sorry Adam Johnson – but at least you can take consolation from the fact Sir Geoff Hurst thinks you’re a pretty decent player).

Here’s the link:

Click to listen: Just Football interviews Sir Geoff Hurst (May 2010)

And to claim your lucky World Cup Medal courtesy of Royal Mint (it is free after all) click here.

My personal thanks to Chris Nee for the hookup.

(pic via lodge28 on Flickr)

All-Time Greats, England, Interviews, Sir Geoff Hurst, West Ham United