Tragic World Cup star Martin can’t remember day he became a legend
ENGLAND football legend Sir Geoff Hurst fears his World Cupwinning team-mate Martin Peters would no longer recognise him or remember their 1966 victory.
Peters, 73, who also played alongside Hurst for West Ham, now suffers from Alzheimer’s.
Sir Geoff scored three and Peters got the other in a 4-2 triumph over West Germany at Wembley 51 years ago, still the highest point in the history of the national team.
But the 75-year-old knows there is now little chance of being able to reminisce with his old friend.
“It is very, very difficult, whether he would recognise me or know me,” said Sir Geoff, when asked whether he or others had tried to maintain a friendship with Peters.
“We have discussed it with his wife and family, and we have left it that we would not get involved. My wife Judith speaks closely with Martin’s wife Kathy almost daily.”
Ray Wilson and Nobby Stiles, who also played in the final, are suffering from dementia too.
Sir Geoff added: “It is heartbreaking for the people involved.
“It is not necessarily the person themselves – who is not aware that they have dementia – it is the enormous effect which it has on the carer, the husband or wife, and the family members.” Sir Geoff has joined the Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walk campaign to help raise £9million to improve care and fund research into the condition.
He will open one of 34 walks planned across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, at Pittville Park in Cheltenham next Sunday.
“Dementia is becoming one of the most serious illnesses and it is increasing,” he said. “It is extremely sad, because a lot of your life is about memories over many years with your family and friends.”
Of their historic win, he said: “Sadly for the players involved that is not even a distant memory.”
Register at memorywalk.org.uk.