It’s almost 50 years since England’s memorable World Cup triumph.
As Roy Hodgson’s team go for Euro 2016 glory in France, the Boys of 66 remain the only side wearing the Three Lions to win a major tournament.
Their dramatic 4-2 extra-time victory over West Germany at Wembley was watched by 96,924.
And among the crowd on the never-to-be-forgotten afternoon of Saturday, July 30 were a party of schoolboys from Huddersfield.
For many of them, it was the eighth game of the 16-team tournament they had watched.
Now Brian Sowerby, the PE teacher who organised the trips from Skelmanthorpe Secondary Modern, would be happy to hear from any of those pupils who took part.
“I have traced 12 of them, but that leaves probably a dozen or so more,” he explained.
“Myself and another teacher, Norman Gray, were the organisers, and what an experience it was.
“We went to eight matches, culminating in the third-place play-off, then the final.
“The tournament involved four groups on a regional basis.
“You were able to boy blocks of tickets for each group, and they allowed for a quarter and semi-final as well as the last two matches of the tournament.
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“It was 7/6 (37.5p) a match, then 10/- (50p) for the final.
“With travel, food and accommodation, I would say the whole thing cost the equivalent of around £40.”
Brian, now 76, added: “It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,
“To try and make it more affordable and for ease of travelling, we chose Group Two, based at Hillsborough and Villa Park.
“It was made up of West Germany, who finished top, Argentina, the runners-up, Spain and Switzerland.
“We then saw West Germany beat Uruguay in the quarter-finals back in Sheffield, then the Soviet Union in the semis at Goodison.”
The third-placed play-off, in which Portugal beat the Soviet Union 2-1, and the final were both at Wembley.
“The earlier games were all day trips, but we went down to London on the Thursday of the third-place game and stayed over for two nights,” recalled Brian.
“There was a trip to the Tower of London on the Friday, then the big day we’d all been waiting for.
“The whole tournament was played in a carnival atmosphere - I don’t recall any hint of crowd trouble - and the final was outstanding in every way.
“I remember some of the lads having signs which made the word ENGLAND.
“And we were behind the goal where Geoff Hurst completed his hat trick.
“It was funny, because we used the old Ward’s Coaches at Lepton, and the driver was also called Geoff Hurst.
“He was a great bloke who became an integral part of the party.”
Brian, a Huddersfield Town fan who was brought up in Flockton and now lives in Kirkheaton, worked at Skelmanthorpe Secondary Modern between 1962-68.
He also taught at Newsome and Rastrick as well as working in the Kirklees youth advisory service.
“It was great to be a part of what has become such a iconic event,” he said.
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“It would be really interesting to hear from some more of those who went on the trips and maybe try to sort out a reunion.”
Brian can be contacted on sowerbybrian@gmail,com or via the Examiner sports desk (01494 437734).
