Sir Geoff Hurst is still headlining speaking tours almost 60 years after leading England to World Cup glory. The 84-year-old was famous for being the hero of the Three Lions’ hat-trick as Sir Alf Ramsey’s side defeated West Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium in 1966.
Hurst is the last surviving player of the World Cup winning squad and one of three surviving members of England’s 1966 squad, alongside Liverpool icon Ian Callaghan and Southampton stalwart Terry Payne. As the Three Lions approach their 60th anniversary, they will once again aim to repeat the team’s unforgettable feats at the 2026 World Cup. If any member of Thomas Tuchel’s side can score a winning hat-trick in this year’s final, they will be in for a lifetime. However, this was not the case for West Ham United legend Hurst. After retiring in 1976, Hearst tried several different careers and continues to work.
After retiring from professional football, the former England striker had a brief coaching career, including managing Chelsea for 19 months, before pursuing a career in the insurance industry. He also worked as a publican, but in recent years has discovered a new passion for speaking tours.
“I retired from football in 1976 and worked on a few things,” Hurst told the Telegraph. “I ran a pub for a while and worked for an insurance company, but nothing really stood out.
“The thing I enjoy the most is touring theaters talking about my football career. I’ve been touring for the past 10 years, including the recent ‘Last Man Standing’ tour, and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m getting paid to do what I love, so I think it’s probably the best decision financially.”
Hirst was initially forced to choose between a career in football or professional cricket at a young age. Although he achieved remarkable success in the sport and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or three times, his salary was far below that of current top players.
“When I joined West Ham in 1959, my salary was £17 a week during the summer and £20 a week during West Ham’s season,” Hurst recalled. “It wasn’t much, but it was enough to make sure I could always pay my bills.”
The World Cup winner won 49 caps for England and scored 24 goals. At club level, he spent most of his career at West Ham, winning the FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup with the Hammers. He then spent time at Stoke City and had short spells at West Bromwich Albion, Cork City and Seattle Sounders before retiring.
