FOOTBALL fans can get up close and personal with Sir Geoff Hurst, England’s hat trick scoring hero from the 1966 World Cup this week when he visits the Regent Centre in Christchurch. We asked him a few questions ahead of his show.

What did it feel like to win the World Cup in 1966? It’s hard to put the feeling into words especially in my case because I only made my debut in 1966 so it was all potentially overwhelming. I was young though and it all came so suddenly but I enjoyed it all.

It was less of a major thing in the months after winning the World Cup. It’s become bigger and bigger with the passage of time because England haven’t won it subsequently.

Who was the best player you played with in your England career? There were many, Bobby Charlton was immense. In the World Cup final Alan Ball was magnificent. He ran his heart out and he cared so much , his patriotism shone through.

Jimmy Greaves was the best goal scorer in English history and a mate as well, obviously Martin was my team mate for years and we had a great understanding on the pitch but overall Bobby Moore would be the calming influence and overall leader and quality player that I would choose as the number one.

Will football come home again? We have had good chances to win it again especially in 1970 and 1990. I guess it’s surprising that we never won again but West Germany exacted revenge for our victory over and over again in subsequent years. I’m always cautiously optimistic when the World Cup comes around. This time we exceeded expectations and gave the country a feel good factor for a few weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing us do well in the Euros in 2020.