Members of West Ham United’s triumphant 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup winning team were reunited at London Stadium on Monday afternoon, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their famous victory.
Exactly 60 years to the day since they helped secure an unforgettable 2-0 win over German side TSV Munich 1860, five of the seven surviving players from the starting line-up – Joe Kirkup, Jack Burkett, Ken Brown, Brian Dear and Sir Geoff Hurst – were back together again to be hosted for a special Celebration Lunch remembering that magical evening at Wembley.
They were joined by two of their old team-mates who appeared in earlier rounds of the competition – Eddie Bovington and goalkeeper Alan Dickie – along with family members and friends of the Hammers heroes from that night sadly no longer with us – iconic captain Bobby Moore, double goalscorer Alan Sealey and midfield heroes Martin Peters and Ronnie Boyce.
Legendary manager Ron Greenwood, plus Johnny Byrne and Peter Brabook, who played in earlier rounds, were also represented by relatives.
Two key figures from the starting line-up 60 years ago, Jim Standen and John Sissons, sent their best wishes from their respective homes in California, USA and Cape Town, South Africa, and the afternoon was an opportunity for many old friends to catch up and share their memories over lunch as a re-run of the final played on screens.
The 1965 heroes and their families and friends were warmly welcomed to London Stadium by Sporting Director Mark Noble, who said: “It is wonderful to see these guys together today, sharing their memories and looking back on what was such an important and fantastic achievement at that time. Winning a European trophy truly put West Ham United on the world map and will never be forgotten. It means such a lot to be able to honour this 60th anniversary and for the Club to say thank you for the service they gave to us.”
