Letters kno were when

climbing the steps, wiping his hands so as not to soil the Queen’s white gloved hand. I recall laughing and thinking only Bobby would do such a thing, forever the gentleman.” Some of the letters were addressed directly to hero striker Hurst – later Sir Geoff and still the only scorer of a hat-trick in a World Cup final. One contribution was from 70s pop star DAVID ESSEX, who once played for West Ham juniors – the team that provided World Cup heroes, Moore, Hurst and Martin Peters. David, now 68, watched at home in London with his parents and later wrote: “For my dad this was more than just a football match, this was an extension of the Second World War. When Hurst scored his third goal, the council flat shook as we danced and sang.

“That night I took my parents to a pub in Bermondsey and the celebrations carried on until three in the morning. We had won the World Cup and our boys – Bobby, Geoff and Martin – deserved the Victoria Cross.”

The late JIMMY HILL, a player for Fulham, manager of Coventry and Match Of The Day presenter, was at Wembley with Joe Mercer, Manchester City’s manager.

He wrote to Hurst: “My overriding memory is of tears trickling down both our cheeks as Geoff hammered in the final nail in the Germans’ coffin.”

He also spoke of celebrating “with great joy and some style”. Legendary cricket umpire DICKIE BIRD, then still a player, told how h from a dressing ro been bowled out f

The late com MANNING wrote o truly blotto” after

Former Man Un FERGUSON, 74, sai few Scots cheerin what he called a “

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Actress JULIE W 16 at the time and w

The Educating Ri star recalled: “I h on Bobby Moore.

“I followed the and knew the nam

But 17-ye TITCHMARSH, later