1966 Uncovered

1966 Uncovered – The unseen story of the world cup in England

This is a collection of unique and often unseen archive photographs from the 1966 World Cup, commemorating English football’s finest hour and capturing the curious charm of the tournament both on and off the pitch. It is the story of an event, a sport, a nation, a people and an era told and illustrated with warmth, wit and originality. “1966 Uncovered” is an off-beat, insightful and thought-provoking portrait of the 1966 World Cup and Britain in the 1960s – far more than just a collection of match reports and standard agency photographs.

The book opens with an interview with Sir Bobby Charlton and Franz Beckenbauer, in which they relive their memories of the 1966 tournament, cast their eyes over images even they haven’t seen before and exchange views on the world of football.

Four main chapters follow the tournament around the country from the regional group stages in the North-East, Midlands, North-West and London, to the knock-out stages and of course the Final. The text and images capture the unique flavour of the times and of the tournament off the field as well as on it – with Alan Bennett’s characteristically personal afterword providing the perfect counterpoint.An additional appendix section gives the reader a revealing insight into how the event was covered by the photographers of the day.