A man who found out his brother had died as the final whistle was blown when England won the World Cup in 1966 has explained why England potentially winning the Euro 2020 this year is close to his heart.
When England beat Germany during the World Cup final in 1966, the nation was and has continued celebrating the victory.
Over 55 years later, there was a lot of recollection of the World Cup game during the build-up as England faced Germany yesterday for the Euro 2020.
For Alun James, aged 76 who lives in Watford, England advancing to the quarter finals and beating Germany has been giving hope that he can have a massive celebration – something he was unable to do when England claimed the World Cup.
It was just after the final whistle of the game, that his father had knocked on the door and informed Mr James his brother had died in a car crash.
The brother, Ivor James, had little interest in football so instead of watching the final like most of the nation, he offered to work that day to develop the film of the semi-finals.
However, things took a drastic turn as his brother ended up in a crash on his way back from Rank Film Laboratories.
Mr James said: “I was talking to the wife about 1966 and Germany, and I said after all these years I can remember every second after the final whistle happened and what I had to do with my dad.”
Unlike most of the nation, Mr James had to go to Mount Vernon Hospital to identify his brother and had to grieve instead of celebrating.
He said: “Every time someone mentioned 1966, it just brings it all back. And I’ve just been praying every four years that England would win the World Cup, so we won’t hear back to that day”
“All this week they’ve been harping about 1966,” he added.
With the vivid memory of the World Cup brought up this year, and England once again defeating Germany, Mr James is hopeful that England will give him a much-needed celebration.
Yesterday, Mr James watched the match with his wife and a drink, and when he saw England beat Germany he thought “yes, we’ve done it”.
England will play Ukraine on Saturday (June 30) in the quarterfinals.
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