Sir Geoff Hurst is still headlining speaking tours almost 60 years after firing England to World Cup glory. The 84-year-old was famously the Three Lions’ hat-trick hero as Sir Alf Ramsey’s side defeated West Germany 4-2 at Wembley Stadium in 1966.
Hurst is the last surviving player from the World Cup-winning team and is one of three living members of the 1966 England squad, alongside Liverpool icon Ian Callaghan and Southampton stalwart Terry Paine. The Three Lions will once again look to replicate that side’s unforgettable achievement at the World Cup 2026 as the 60th anniversary approaches. If a member of Thomas Tuchel’s side scored a winning hat-trick in this year’s final, they would likely be set for life. However, this was not the case for West Ham United legend Hurst, who tried several different careers after hanging up his boots 1976 and continues to work.
After retiring from professional football, the ex-England striker had a brief coaching career, which included 19 months in charge of Chelsea, before pursuing a career in insurance. He also worked as a publican but discovered a new passion for speaking tours over the last few years.
“I retired from football in 1976 and went into a few things,” Hurst said to The Telegraph. “I ran a pub for a while and I worked in insurance. Nothing stands out, though.
“The most fun thing has been my theatre tours, where I talk about my football career. I’ve been doing them for the past ten years, including my recent Last Man Standing tour, and thoroughly enjoy them. That’s probably my best financial decision, as I’m getting paid to do something I enjoy.”
Hurst was initially forced to choose between football and a professional cricket career in his younger years. While he achieved remarkable success in the sport and was nominated for the Ballon d’Or on three occasions, his wages were far below those of current top players.
“My wage was £17 a week during the summer months and £20 a week during the season at West Ham when I started in 1959,” Hurst recalled. “It wasn’t loads, but it was enough to ensure I could always pay the bills.”
The World Cup champion earned 49 caps for England, scoring 24 goals. At club level, he spent the majority of his career at West Ham, winning the FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup with the Hammers. He subsequently spent time with Stoke City and had short spells at West Bromwich Albion, Cork City and the Seattle Sounders before retiring.