The England 1966 World Cup winner and Fulham legend George Cohen has died at the age of 83.
Tributes have poured in for the former right-back, who was vice captain for England’s historic Wembley win over West Germany 56 years ago.
Cohen won 37 caps for his country and made 459 appearances for hometown team Fulham.
Born a mile away from Craven Cottage, he once recalled climbing a large tree by the Whites’ ground to jump the turnstiles and watch matches as a younsgter, before signing for the club in 1956.
🏆 England 1966 World Cup winner
— EFL (@EFL) December 23, 2022
⚽️ 459 appearances for Fulham
Remembering a legend of the English game.
George Cohen - 1939-2022 pic.twitter.com/sjS82pXpbA
Blessed with great pace, Cohen helped Fulham win promotion ahead of a long stay in the top flight.
A knee injury ended his career prematurely, aged 29, and he was awarded an MBE in 2000 after a spell in the Fulham and England youth coaching setups, plus time spent in the property market.
A statue of Cohen was unveiled at Craven Cottage in 2016, the same year he was granted the freedom of Hammersmith & Fulham. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Daphne, plus sons Anthony and Andrew and their children.
A Fulham statement read: “Everyone associated with Fulham Football Club is desperately saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest ever players – and gentlemen – George Cohen MBE.
“Only Johnny Haynes, Eddie Lowe and Les Barrett played more games for us than George. He is, quite simply, Fulham royalty.”
Cohen’s passing means Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Bobby Charlton are the only surviving members of England’s line-up in the 1966 final, as well as squad members George Eastham, Ian Callaghan and Terry Paine.
Hurst tweeted: “Very sad to hear my friend and England teammate George Cohen has died. Everyone, without exception, always said that George was such a lovely man. He will be sadly missed, my heartfelt thoughts are with George’s wife Daphne and his family.”
Gary Lineker posted online: “Sorry to hear that George Cohen has died. Another of the heroes of the ‘66 World Cup winning team leaves us. He’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP George.”
The Football Supporters’ Association wrote: “Very sad news, as another of England's legends of '66 leaves us. Our thoughts with his family and friends.”
