Sir Geoff Hurst’s iconic 1966 World Cup final shirt to be sold for half a million

THE SHIRT worn by England's World Cup winning hero Sir Geoff Hurst is expected to rake in £500,000 at auction today — 50 years since the Three Lions beat West Germany 4-2.

The iconic red jersey with the number 10 on the back was worn by the striker, the first and only player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.

Hurst's third goal led a classic piece of sporting commentary, with BBC's Kenneth Wolstenhome saying: "They think it's all over… it is now!"

Sir Geoff was originally second choice striker behind Jimmy Greaves, but an injury to Greaves ahead of the quarter finals gifted Hurst his opportunity.

England have not won a major football tournament since the exploits of Sir Geoff and the rest of the 1966 winning team.

London based auctioneer Sotheby's, who were established in 1744, said the Umbro jersey should bring in bids around £300,000 to £500,000.

It would be an auction record if it sells at anything above the reserve price, with the previous record being £140,000 for Pele's 1970 World Cup final shirt sold for in March 2002.

Nobby Stiles' number four was the last 1966 shirt to be sold at auction, scooping £75,000 in 2010.

The sale of Hurst's shirt follows the sale of his winners medal for £150,000 to former club West Ham in 2001.

Gabriel Heaton, a specialist at the Sotheby's, said: "This shirt, worn by the match's star player, is the most significant obtainable artefact relating to this historic match.

"It represents a legendary moment in the annals of English football, and a sporting achievement that has never been repeated in half a century.

"It's a really special, unique item — there is a premium attached to it and it's these sort of items that increase in value over the years."