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Back for another shot at glory, old pals who watched the World Cup final in 1966 hope to witness history again tomorrow

4 months ago 35
  • Alan Wallman and Lindsay Bailes paid just £3.50 for all World Cup games in 1966 

By Andy Dolan In Berlin

Published: 23:52 BST, 12 July 2024 | Updated: 23:57 BST, 12 July 2024

Two friends who saw England win the World Cup in 1966 are hoping to witness history again tomorrow.

Alan Wallman, 80, and Lindsay Bailes, 77, were in Germany for all three group games before returning to the UK. 

But they are travelling to Berlin for the final, having paid €900 (£755) between them for tickets.

Both men saw all of England's games on their run to the 1966 World Cup – and a ticket for all of them up to the final cost a total of £3.50, the equivalent of £55.20 today, said Mr Bailes.

Lindsay Bailes, 77 (left) and Alan Wallman, 80 (right) watched England lift the World Cup in 1966. The pair hope to see history made again on Sunday at the Euros final

King Charles holds an England shirt with young people at a King's Trust event to discuss youth opportunity

England fan Matthew Weston and his five-year-old son Vincent near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

Mr Wallman, from Wokingham, Berkshire, and Mr Bailes, from Warlingham, Surrey, are travelling separately to Berlin and have seats in different parts of the Olympiastadion, but plan to meet for a beer before the match.

Mr Wallman is hoping for the best, saying: 'I'm not exactly full of confidence because Spain are a very good side, but I have a funny feeling we might just do it. It's going to be a tight game.'

The match they watched at Wembley in 1966, when England beat West Germany 4-2, is being shown in a special colourised screening by Channel 4 at 4.30pm today.

The broadcaster said it would 'provide the perfect warm up for fans'.

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