World Cup
Winners Medals 1966

For years it seemed that they would never receive a just reward for their efforts. Then, last November, Sepp Blatter, president of world soccer's governing body Fifa, moved to right that wrong. He revealed that all non-playing members of World Cup-winning squads between 1930 and 1974 were to be given the medals they had previously been denied. His gesture earned widespread praise - yet still did nothing to recognise people such as Les Cocker for the off-the-field contributions that are an essential element of any sporting success story. >>> Read the full article from Yorkshire Post

Alf Ramsey 'deserves medal'

Your eyes do not deceive you. This is a very serious campaign and plea to the Football Association to honour not only the memory of Sir Alf Ramsey, one of the greatest Footballing managers and sporting legends England has ever produced, but also the vital management team behind the squad of 1966
Les Cocker 
Harold Shepherdson

Members of England's 1966 World Cup squad have called on Fifa to include Sir Alf Ramsey and his coaching staff when they award retrospective winners' medals this year.

The 11 members of the squad who did not play in the final are due to be presented with medals prior to an England match at Wembley but Fifa's gesture will not extend to the men who masterminded the greatest triumph in the history of English football.

Ramsey and his two coaching assistants, Les Cocker and Harold Shepherdson, are now dead, yet the medals could be presented to their families.

George Cohen, the right-back, said: "It is all a bit late, but it would be nice if everyone could be acknowledged. We were all in it together, although it was Alf that really brought everyone together. "We should also remember the efforts of people like the doctor Alan Bass, and Wilf McGuinness."

Dave Cocker, the son of Les Cocker, said that it would mean an enormous amount. "We have got very few things to remind us of the achievement," he said. "It would be nice for my mother - she is now 82 and still lives in the same house. It would be nice to go along to my father's grave with the medal." The FA have already contacted Fifa and Cocker is hoping that he can successfully lobby Sepp Blatter.

The campaign has won the support of sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe. "Winning the World Cup in '66 was this country's finest sporting moment," said Sutcliffe. "These days, players, coaches and physios rightly get medals as recognition of their role so I think it would be great to see Fifa give them the recognition they deserve. They were an integral part of the team."