"God answers my prayers everywhere except on the golf-course."
Eighty at Eighty
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Geoff Hurst, pitch publishing, 2022 ISBN 9781801501286
The concept is simple. To celebrate his 80th birthday, England’s 1966 World Cup hat trick hero selects the 80 greatest sportsmen of his lifetime.It’s a really interesting book, made by Hurst’s evaluations and explanations of why each person is included.
I had previously reviewed a book with a similar concept, Goals by Gianluca Vialli which left me wondering how much Vialli had to do with the book which included cricketers and baseball stars - sports which are not very big in Italy.
I had no such thoughts about this book. In almost every chapter there is an anecdote, a personal reflection, a connection between Hurst and the other sportsperson. The book is strongest about footballers – team-mates, opponents and heroes. But Hurst has clearly a wide interest in all sports, admiring top swimming, racing drivers, boxers, rugby players, athletes, tennis players etc. Cricketers are included – one might suggest - to give the author opportunities to keep mention his illustrious (1 game) career in county cricket!
The analysis of greatness across all sports and the comparison with his own – for example between himself and Jonny Wilkinson’s experience in winning a World Cup – is always fascinating.
A great birthday present for any sportsfan.