The story of a Watford man’s experience watching England’s historic victory in the 1966 World Cup is one of the tales to feature in a commemorative book celebrating the occasion.

Graham Clark, who was 13 at the time and a pupil at Watford Boys’ Grammar School, travelled to the game from Croxley with his dad.

He said: “I’d made myself a top hat out of cardboard with a white ‘chimney’ and a black top and rim. I also wore a ‘jacket’ made out of a single bedsheet with a Union Jack on the front and a St George’s cross on the back. I’d made them myself with a little help from my mum.”

Graham’s memories features in sports writer Matt Eastley’s book 66 on ’66, which brings together memories and stories from fans, musicians and celebrities who witnessed the final.

Now semi-retired and living in Rickmansworth after a career as an oilfield engineer and civil servant, Graham remembers that the match was a civilised affair.

“There was no animosity inside the ground or out,” he said. “Obviously there were some areas of the stadium with more Germans in than others but it was fairly mixed up and there was no trouble at all.”

And Graham says he never doubted that England would win the match, even if he had a few doubts as the match went to extra time.

“Then it was nail-biting stuff,” he said. “I had absolutely no take at all on whether the third England goal was valid or not and neither did my dad but we took it. Only since has it become apparent that it wasn’t!

“I remember Bobby Moore getting the cup from the Queen and being carried around and dad thinking that Stiles looked a bit stupid. On the walk back to Wembley Park station there was no real triumphalism.”

Football is still part of Graham’s life and today he is one of the ‘Vicarage Roadies’ for Watford FC, providing a ‘meet and greet’ service for both home and visiting supporters.

66 on ’66 – I was there Memories from English football’s greatest day by Matt Eastley is available to buy at £19.99