England World Cup hero George Cohen dies aged 83
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England have lost another member of their 1966 World Cup-winning team after Fulham legend George Cohen died at the age of 83.
Cohen, a player for a club in Craven Cottage, made his debut for the Three Lions in a 2-1 win against Uruguay in 1962 and established himself as Sir Alf Ramsey’s first-choice full-back in the home tournament four years later. .
He was vice-captain when England triumphed over West Germany in the Wembley final, and played his last cap just a year later, becoming the first of the 1966 England XI to stop playing for his country.
“All associated with Fulham Football Club are desperately saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest players, and gentlemen, George Cohen MBE,” the Cottagers said in a statement.
“George, a one-club man, made 459 appearances for his beloved whites, as well as playing 37 appearances for England, with whom he won the World Cup in 1966.”
Following Cohen’s death, only Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst remain as surviving members of the starting XI that triumphed 56 years ago. In total, only five members of Ramsey’s team are still alive: Charlton, Hurst, George Eastham, Terry Paine and Ian Callaghan.
The exact cause of Cohen’s death is unknown.
England legend George Cohen (left), a member of the 1966 World Cup team, has died at the age of 83, it has been announced.
Cohen was England’s vice-captain when they won the World Cup by defeating West Germany at Wembley in 1966.
The former right-back played the full game as England secured a 4-2 victory to seal what remains the country’s only World Cup.
Cohen (pictured second right) celebrates with teammates Nobby Stiles, Bobby Moore, Ray Wilson and Geoff Hurst after the game.
Cohen’s death means only two members of the ’66 Final Starting XI are alive today: Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst.
Cohen was born in Cassidy Road, Fulham, just after the outbreak of the Second World War. Half of his family supported Chelsea and the other half supported Fulham.
He joined his local football club from Fulham Central Secondary School, where he was Principal. The school is now Fulham College Boys’ School.
Cohen’s speed and strength were strong attributes and he made his senior debut in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in March 1957, aged 17.
He played for the Cottagers between 1956 and 1969, scoring six goals. Only five other players have made more appearances than Cohen’s 459 for the club.
Cohen would have played more games if his career had not been cut short by a serious knee injury, which forced him to retire at the age of 29.
Cohen was a club legend and played for his local club, Fulham, from 1956 to 1969, playing 459 games for the West London side.
The former Fulham-born right-back made his debut against Liverpool in March 1957, a game they lost 2-1
Cohen (rear, third left) pictured with his Fulham team mates outside Craven Cottage in 1964
Cohen (left) pictured with his Fulham team-mate Bobby Robson (centre) and Tony Macedo (right). Only five players have made more appearances for the Cottagers
Cohen was awarded a medal by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown for being part of England’s historic triumph in 1966.
He married his wife, Daphne (left) when he was 23 and the couple moved to Chessington, Surrey.
A public vote on a Channel 4 documentary named Cohen England’s best right-back, ahead of Gary Neville and Phil Neal.
For England, he was an integral part of Ramsey’s tactical setup in 1966, with his attacking prowess offering a threat on the wing forward. His cross to Charlton led to a crucial goal that helped England defeat Portugal in the semi-final.
A Channel 4 documentary named Cohen England’s greatest ever right-back, as decided by the public, placing him ahead of Gary Neville and Phil Neal.
Cohen married his wife, Daphne, when he was 23 and the couple settled in Chessington, Surrey, before later moving to Worcester Park.
In 2016, Cohen was honored with a release from Hammersmith & Fulham, and club chairman Shahid Khan unveiled a statue of him to commemorate the club legend and mark the 50th anniversary of England’s World Cup triumph.
He received an MBE in 2000, along with Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Nobby Stiles and Roger Hunt after a campaign by sections of the media calling for them to be recognized.
Cohen is the last member of the 1966 first team to die after Hunt, Liverpool’s second all-time top scorer, died at the age of 83 after a long illness in September last year.