AS the England team launches its bid to win a second World Cup, Harlow resident Tom Topley was there at Wembley in 1966 – the first and so far, the only time the England Team has won the trophy.

Now 88 years old, Orient F.C. fan Tom has vivid memories of the day. He had travelled from Harlow with a group of workmates. He thinks about fifteen people from his workplace went on the day and he remembers the noise, the atmosphere and the drama of what was ‘a very exciting game!’

‘I had the opportunity to buy tickets for every England game,’ he recalled. ‘I worked for Standard Telephones; they were offered a bunch of tickets for some reason, so myself and a group of mates bought some. In comparative terms they weren’t that expensive. On today’s values it was a really good deal.’

‘I went to every game except the quarter final against Argentina because my son was in hospital. We hired a coach for the final. It took us to Wembley then brought us home again at the end of a long day.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I had to take it. We were hard up, we had two young children, but my wife Maureen agreed I should go. She was pleased I went.’

Tom wonders if there are any other Harlow residents still alive who also went to the 1966 World Cup Final?