West Germany star Franz Beckenbauer trains at Bragbury End, Stevenage, days before the 1966 World Cup final against England at Wembley. (Image: Archant)
Half a century ago this week England’s 1966 World Cup final opponents West Germany were training at Bragbury End in Stevenage.
The above photograph, from a sister paper of the Comet, shows German star man Franz Beckenbauer in Stevenage 50 years ago on Wednesday, sending the ball across the field to a team-mate.
With the help of news photographer Denis Williams, who had learned German in the RAF, the visitors made clear they were confident of victory – but on July 30, 1966, Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick helped England to a 4-2 win after extra time.
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