1966 World Cup winner Ray Wilson swapped football for life as an undertaker

Ray Wilson, the left-back who played every minute of England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, spent the quarter-century after his playing days not in management or punditry but running a funeral business in Huddersfield — a career switch that remained one of football’s more quietly remarkable stories until his death in May 2018 at the age of 83.

Wilson was a cornerstone of Alf Ramsey’s side that defeated West Germany 4-2 at Wembley on 30 July 1966, lining up alongside George Cohen, Jack Charlton and Bobby Moore in a back four that conceded just three goals across the tournament’s six matches. At 31, he was the eldest member of the squad, and his contribution extended beyond defending — he set up Roger Hunt’s opener in the semi-final victory over Portugal.

After brief spells at Oldham Athletic and Bradford City following his time at Everton, Wilson retired from professional football in 1971 at the age of 36. Rather than pursue a managerial career — he had served only a short stint as caretaker at Bradford — he joined his father-in-law’s undertaking firm in Huddersfield. So seriously did he take the vocation that he returned to education to obtain the O-level qualifications the role required.

Wilson ran the business until 1997, supporting his wife Pat, whom he had married in 1956, and their two sons. Those who knew him recalled a dry sense of humour that he deployed even in the most unlikely circumstances. His former England teammate George Cohen revealed that Wilson once called him after Cohen’s cancer diagnosis and opened with: “I was ringing to offer you a deal.”

Born in Shirebrook, Derbyshire, Wilson earned 63 caps for England and began his club career at Huddersfield Town under Bill Shankly before moving to Everton. In 2000 he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his role in England’s only World Cup victory. Four years later he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

In 2016, Huddersfield Town marked the 50th anniversary of the triumph by releasing a second-change kit in his honour, carrying the tagline “Legends Are Rarely Made”. Wilson died two years later, in May 2018, leaving behind a legacy that stretched well beyond the famous afternoon at Wembley.