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English World Cup hero Ramsey dies
Posted: Friday April 30, 1999 03:47 PM SUFFOLK, England (AP) -- Sir Alf Ramsey, who steered England's national soccer team to its first and only World Cup title in 1966, died this week after a long illness, his former club Ipswich Town confirmed Friday. Ramsey, who was 79, suffered a minor stroke in June last year and spent time recovering in Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk. He was later admitted to a nursing home, where he remained until his death. At the time, on the eve of England's crucial second-round France '98 World Cup match against Argentina, media reports said Ramsey's heart condition and senile dementia had been worsening. He is considered England's most successful international manager after coaching the national team to a 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley. British Sports Minister Tony Banks, who was returning from Botswana with 1966 World Cup star Sir Bobby Charlton following World Cup 2006 bid campaign business, vowed to dedicate England's campaign to host the tournament to Ramsey. Ramsey was knighted by the Queen in 1967 and remained England manager until 1974, when he was controversially sacked after his team failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in West Germany. Apart from brief stints as a consultant, he didn't have any further involvement in soccer management. British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Friday said Ramsey "gave England the greatest moment in its sporting history." "He was a hugely intelligent man whose leadership and footballing skills won England the World Cup," Blair said. "Anyone who takes an interest in football will be saddened by the news and will never forget him or the wonderful moments he brought in 1966." Former players echoed his sentiments. Charlton, enroute from Botswana, said he couldn't be more upset if Ramsey was family. "Alf Ramsey gave all of us in the football business the greatest moment we have ever had as players, as coaches, as managers as fans and as officials," he said. "He was professional to his fingertips and as popular with the players as any manager I've ever seen. He was a winner and without Alf Ramsey England would not have won the World Cup." Sir Geoff Hurst, a three-goal hero in the World Cup final, said Ramsey must be respected for achieving a feat nobody before or after him has been able to match. "I have a personal debt of gratitude to him because, had it not been for Alf, I would not have been given my own chance to create a bit of history," Hurst said. George Cohen, a defender in the 1966 team, said he was shocked and saddened. "It is terribly sad," he said. "Although we knew he was ill it is always going to be a shock when it comes around." England's 1966 team, dubbed the "wingless wonders," was renowned for its ground-breaking tactics and Ramsey was regarded as one of the most radical soccer thinkers of his era. As a player, Ramsey was regarded as a tenacious defender, winning 32 England caps, including three as captain. He played for Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur before becoming Ipswich manager in 1955. He took over as England manager in 1963 after guiding Ipswich from the old Third Division competition to the First Division title. Current England manager Kevin Keegan said Ramsey had given him his international debut in 1972, for which he would always be grateful. "He was a smashing man and was loved by his players," Keegan said. Newcastle and England captain Alan Shearer said Ramsay was the perfect ambassador for soccer. "I know that in all my years being involved in football I never heard anyone have a bad word to say about him."
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