No matter where they hail from, a World Cup win is the pinnacle of any footballer’s career.
Winners will go down in national folklore and their names will be etched into the annals of football history.
But for former Liverpool stalwart Ian Callaghan, official recognition in the form of a winners’ medal did not arrive for more than 40 years after that famous afternoon at Wembley Stadium.
Callaghan on the 1966 World Cup and his wait for a medal
"It was unbelievable – to be in a squad that won the World Cup and with so many absolutely fantastic players was a joy,” Callaghan tells FourFourTwo when asked to recall his 1966 experience.
“I’d played against a lot of the other players in the World Cup squad week in, week out previously, so getting to know them was amazing. We all used to hold reunions every year afterwards and became massive friends too.
“Just to be involved in 1966 and win the World Cup was amazing and, even though I only played once at the tournament, it was still one of the highlights of my career.”
It was not until 2009 that Callaghan was finally given his medal, when FIFA finally ruled that not just the 11 players on the pitch at the end of the 1966 victory were deemed worthy of recognition.
“It took all of 43 years for me to get my World Cup medal, because it was only the 11 who played in the final that got given them back then,” he continues. “So to finally be recognised for being part of the squad all those years later was special.”
They say patience is a virtue and this was not the only time Callaghan had to play the waiting game when it came to the Three Lions.
That’s because Callaghan’s next England appearance after the 1966 World Cup did not come until September 1977, with the gap of 11 years and 49 days still the record between England caps.
“It was a surprise,” Callaghan says of his belated recall. “I’d changed position from right wing to central midfield and was one of four or five Liverpool players Ron Greenwood called up for that squad.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got the letter to say I’d been selected, then I went on to play in a couple of games. It’s still the longest gap between England caps and I don’t think anyone has even got close to beating the record since.
“Maybe nobody will ever top it.”
