George Cohen, along with the rest of the England team, was introduced to Queen Elizabeth II before the final
England World Cup winner George Cohen has died aged 83, his former club Fulham have announced.
The right-back played in the Wembley World Cup winning side in 1966 and was vice-captain in the 4-2 win over West Germany in the final.
Cohen, who spent his entire club career with Fulham, won 37 caps for England.
“Everyone at Fulham Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest players and gentlemen,” the club said.
“All our thoughts are with Daphne, his beloved wife of over 60 years, sons Anthony and Andrew, his grandchildren and extended family, as well as George’s many, many friends.”
Cohen featured in every game of England’s successful World Cup campaign.
In 2000 he was awarded the MBE, one of five players from the 1966 team to be belatedly honoured, following a media campaign to recognize his achievements alongside those of his teammates.
In a 13-year playing career at Fulham, from 1956 to 1969, Cohen made 459 appearances for the club.
In October 2016, a statue of Cohen was unveiled at Craven Cottage to commemorate his former player and mark the 50th anniversary of the World Cup victory. Fulham have also named a section of their hospitality facilities after him.
His World Cup medal is on display at the stadium, and was bought by the club for £80,000 in 1998.
Alf Ramsey, who managed England in 1966, called Cohen “the best right-back in the country”, while legendary Manchester United full-back George Best described him as “the best full-back you ever played against I’ve ever played.”
After his playing career, which was ended before his 30th birthday by a knee injury, he coached Fulham’s youth team and had a spell in charge of non-league Tonbridge.
Cohen was released from Hammersmith and Fulham in 2016 for his footballing achievements and campaigning for more cancer and dementia research.
He voiced his demands for a public inquiry into dementia’s external link to football after a study revealed ex-players were more than three times more likely to develop the condition than the general population.
His nephew, Ben Cohen, won the Rugby World Cup with England in 2003.
The football world pays tribute
Tributes have flooded social media and beyond.
Former England player Gary Lineker wrote: “Sorry to hear that George Cohen has passed away. Another of the heroes of the ’66 World Cup winning team has left us. He will always have footballing immortality. RIP George.”
Football Association president Debbie Hewitt said: “We are very saddened to hear the news of George Cohen’s death today.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to George’s family and friends at this sad time.”
World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst tweeted: “So sad to hear that my friend and England team-mate George Cohen has passed away. Everyone without exception always said George was a man so lovely. He will be missed, my sincere thoughts are with George’s wife Daphne and his family.”