30th July 1966 is a memorable date in the minds of myself and three friends as we were inside Wembley Stadium on that famous occasion when England won the World Cup. Our ages were 20, two at 19, and one 18.
Myself and one of the friends had bought a book of "Season Tickets" for a series of matches played at Goodison Park and Old Trafford, and included in the pack was a ticket for the Final ( price 10 shillings - that was old money - 50 pence in today's money). When England reached the final, the four of us decided to go to Wembley, and the other two would take a chance on getting tickets around the ground.
Off we set early morning in one of the friends' father's car, which I recall was a Ford Popular. Three of us could drive, and we took it in turns each. The only thing I remember about the journey down was of smoke coming from under the bonnet when we weren't very far from the stadium. We opened up the bonnet and unscrewed the radiator cap and a great whoosh of steam erupted from the radiator! We filled it up with water and continued our journey.
At the ground, the two without tickets bought them, one paid three pounds and the other a little less, but I can't remember the exact amount. One was stood near to where we were, (D turnstile, entrance 9, East Standing Enclosure) but the other was in the middle of the German supporters ! However, there was no bother or trouble both during and after the game.
After the match, we gathered in the old Ford "Pop" for the long journey home to Widnes, (which in those days was still in Lancashire), and on the outskirts of London we decided to stop at a pub for a celebratory drink. Mindful of the fact that three of us were driving, we ordered 4 Bitter Tonics, which the barman had never heard of, much to our bemusement. It must have been a northern drink, and it is half a pint of bitter topped up with a tonic water, and was an alternative to a shandy.
The journey home seemed never ending and towards the end we were driving in shifts of 15 minutes each as we were so tired. We made it home safe and sound and triumphant and, 50 years on, the four of us are still around and living in Widnes.
Three of us had a reunion on Saturday 30th July, sadly the fourth was
looking after his wife who is poorly.
It is great to talk to people, many of whom weren't born in 1966, about the
match and to see their reaction when I say " I was there. "
Dave Merrill
Memory added on September 1, 2016
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