George Cohen, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup successful staff, has died on the age of 83.
Cohen spent his complete taking part in profession with Fulham, making 459 appearances, and used to be described by means of George Best as “the best full-back I ever played against”.
The right-back in Alf Ramsey’s 1966 staff, Cohen received the remaining of his 37 caps simply over a 12 months later. He performed in two FA Cup semi-finals and labored for Fulham as a matchday host lengthy after his retirement.
Cohen used to be famously avoided by means of Ramsey from swapping shirts with an Argentina participant after an ill-tempered recreation on the 1966 World Cup and later mentioned he had the {photograph} on a wall at house.
He bought his winner’s medal, purchased by means of Fulham for £80,000, in 1998 for monetary causes, changing into the primary participant within the staff to take action.
Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in that well-known 1966 victory, used to be probably the most first to pay tribute, status on twitter: “Very unhappy to listen to my good friend and England teammate George Cohen has died. Everyone, with out exception, all the time mentioned that George used to be this sort of beautiful guy. He can be unfortunately ignored, my heartfelt ideas are with George’s spouse Daphne and his circle of relatives.”
Hurst and Bobby Charlton are now the only surviving members of the World Cup-winning team.
Cohen was diagnosed with cancer in 1976 and helped raise funds for cancer charities. He was a campaigner and fundraiser for research into cancer, which claimed the life of his 1966 teammate and captain Bobby Moore, and into dementia which affected a number of the team in their later years.
Cohen said in 2017 that he would be donating his brain for scientific research upon his death.
His nephew Ben Cohen played rugby union for England also won a World Cup, in 2003.
Fulham additionally paid tribute to their membership nice, writing on the club’s official Twitter account: “Everyone at Fulham Football Club is deeply saddened to be informed of the passing of one in all our best ever gamers – and gents – George Cohen MBE.”
His contribution to the club was recognized in 2016 when they announced a statue of him to be situated at Craven Cottage had been commissioned. It was unveiled in October of that year.
Cohen said at the time: “I in finding it completely glorious that they even idea I used to be worthy of [a statue], Especially because it used to be along Johnny Haynes, the best identify in Fulham’s historical past.
“To be beside him, it used to be slightly incredible. It used to be nice to suppose that now not best the membership however the supporters had sought after to place a statue of me there.”
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt said: “We are very sad to hear the news of George Cohen’s death today. George won 37 caps for England and was vice-captain of our World Cup winning team.
“We wish to go on our deep condolences to George’s friends and family at this unhappy time.”
A tribute posted at the professional England Twitter account used to be merely titled: “Rest in peace George.”
The website article confirmed a full tribute would be paid to Cohen when England host Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley on March 26 next year.