First World Cup memories

[bobinho]

1978 for me, and Peru. Loved their kit. Didn’t win a game as I remember, but still liked em.

[Lancasterclaret]

Really 1990 for me as the games in 86 where on too late for me.

And what a World Cup for England that was.

Platts goal will live long in the memory, and bizarrely the Egyptian naval vessel who sent all its crew to all Egypt's games.

[WestMidsClaret]

1st game I remember was '86 against Argentina yes that game! 1st proper world Cup watching most of the games was Italia' 90. That's still is my favourite World Cup. I suspect it'll still be my favourite one after this World Cup.

[South West Claret.]

The first one for me was also 66’ and the “wingless wonders”as England were called under Alf Ramsey, A team without orthodox wingers then was very new to the game...and of course we won the damn thing.

Many good games in the tournament but one at Goodison featuring North Koreo who very surprising went 3-0 up against a shocked Portugal was it? Portugal soon began to recover and eventually won easily about 5-3 or something like that in the end.

[Hipper]

1966, I was 13. Must have seen the early games on the telly but my earliest memories were paper talk about Lev Yashin, North Korea beating Italy 1-0 - a major shock - and the Brazilians, particularly Pele, being kicked out (i.e. by rough play) of the tournament.

The first match I recall seeing was the semi-final against Portugal which I saw on Dutch TV. If England won we would get croquettes to eat!

I didn't see the final because, ironically, I was in a sports camp but with no television. I just recall someone telling me we'd won.

[Archie Claret]

1970 the best World Cup ever, and the winners Brazil are still the best football team I've ever seen. Bobby Moore's arrest pre-tournament for alleged shoplifting. Brazil vs. England in the Group stages and the Gordon Banks save. Pele described that save as the best he saw in his career.

Peter "the cat" Bonetti, in goals for England in the quarter-final against Germany. England led 2-0 and eventually lost 3-2.

The semi-final between Italy and West Germany. Possibly the greatest World Cup game ever. Italy took an early lead, and then West Germany got a goal in injury time. It finished, 4-3 to Italy.

Brazil swept Italy away in the final, 3-1. My dad told me they'd been kicked off the park in England in 1966. I suspect there's a film of the tournament somewhere, I must find it. And yes, Esso coins, sticker Albums...I was nine. I don't think they did replica shirts in those days.

Those are my memories.....but did you leave early Claretfoot???

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Watching the 1966 Final through a TV shop window in Frodsham with a big crowd doing the same!

[Claretfoot]

Watching the 1966 Final through a TV shop window in Frodsham with a big crowd doing the same!

4-1 in the final, I've just visited Wikipedia and watched a video.

There were no penalties in those days? So if, the Italians hadn't scored at the end of that semi-final was the result then down to a toss of a coin? Watching the clip, both the Germans and the Italians were on their knees in the semi-final. No holding out for a draw!

[andyh]

1970 collecting the Esso coins , back home on the radio 8 years old

Ditto, first game I can clearly recall was England 0 Brazil 1 the game of legendary Banks save and Moore tackle.

[whalleyd]

1970 - Family holiday in Cork, hotel packed for England v W Germany, couldn’t understand why everyone seemed to be cheering when Germans scored (Bonetti in goal).
Me “Dad why are they cheering?”
Dad “ The Irish dont like the English”
Me “why not?”
Dad “I’ll tell you later”
First introduction to being English abroad.

[tim_noone]

Remember the eusebio game against korea and ratin? Being sent off for Argentina...they played the dirty game! 66 1970 was special all piled into Les gills house in stoneyholme was it Italy in the quarter finals?? Great memories now fading!

[IndigoLake]

Vaguely remember having a book about the different teams in Euro 96. In terms of the World Cup, I'd say my first memories are France 98. We were allowed to watch one of the games at school.

[beddie]

66 for me as well. I was 12 years old and only just getting into football. A certain Mr Hurst became my hero. A year later I had the chance to go to my first professional game, the team played in claret and blue.

[Strela_999]

Damn, I'm one hell of a kid on this forum lol. My first World Cup memories are from 1998! I'm French, and remember the overall frenzy that invaded the whole country and sparked my interest for football, while my family never was too much into it.

[dermotdermot]

Representing Italy in 1966.

Okay, so I was only a schoolboy footballer, but I took part in the opening ceremony and stayed to watch the game against Uruguay. If you watch the official film of the tournament, you can catch me at the front of the lineup behind the guy carrying the Italian flag.

[tim_noone]

This world cup is a throw back to the seventies and 82 all great tournaments.