As the World Cup builds to its finale on Sunday, I have been looking back at memorable moments.

Not of this one, but of World Cups past.

Sweden 1958 was the only time all four home nations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, qualified. In Chile 1962, England had a decent team but were beaten in the quarter finals by Brazil. The squad included Roger Hunt, Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Ray Wilson who were still there for England 1966, the only time we won the World Cup.

For me this was memorable because of a press conference I attended at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool.

Manager Alf Ramsey announced the squad would get £1,000 per man win bonus when they lifted the World Cup. And he stressed they would win.

Oh how we laughed.

Oh how we cheered when it happened.

Mexico 1970 had the wonder save by Gordon Banks from Pele’s header, and Pele and Bobby Moore swapping shirts at the end of a game England should have won.

West Germany 1974 was memorable because Scotland were knocked out in the group stage despite being unbeaten. England hadn’t qualified and we didn’t qualify for Argentina 1978, either.

High spots in Spain 1982 were the England squad’s song This Time We’ll Get It Right (they didn’t) and Kevin Keegan’s hair. Mexico 1986 was infamous for Maradona’s Hand of God and Italy 1990 was famous for Paul Gascoigne’s tears.

England didn’t qualify for United States 1994 but Ireland did and Ray Houghton scored the goal that put Italy out of the tournament.

In France 1998, David Beckham was sent off against Argentina. In Korea and Japan 2002, David Seaman let in a soft goal against Brazil and England were once more out in the quarter finals.

Germany 2006 and England again made the quarter finals but this time it was Wayne Rooney who was sent off as Ronaldo winked.

South Africa 2010 was most memorable, from an England point of view, because of the noise of the vuvuzelas.

And so to Brazil 2014 which has been notable for surprises, brilliant football and wonderful goals.

Let’s hope Sunday’s final between Germany and Argentina does not disappoint.

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