Premier League: Tottenham and Brentford pay tribute to the late George Cohen

Tribute To George Cohen

Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur players gave a minute’s applause in memory of the late George Cohen before their Premier League match started at the Gtech Community Stadium on Monday.

A Fulham man through and through, Cohen is regarded as the greatest right-back England has produced. He played every minute of England’s World Cup-winning campaign and earned 37 caps for his country between 1964 and 1967.

About George Cohen 

George Cohen was a key member and vice-captain of the England side that won the only World Cup held in his home country in 1966, with Sir Alf Ramsey's first choice of Jimmy Armfield following a right-back injury. 

Once described by the late, great George Cohen Best as the toughest full-back he had ever faced and as England’s best full-back by Ramsey himself, George Cohen earned 37 senior international caps between 1964-67.

Playing for one club alongside childhood idol Fulham, he played for the beloved White team 459 times between 1956 and 1969.

Add Block

George Cohen’s Retirement 

George Cohen was forced to retire aged 29 due to a serious knee injury, moving into coaching with Fulham and England’s Under-23s team before embarking on a career in property development. He later battled bowel cancer and a tumour in his back, becoming a tireless campaigner and patron of the Bobby Moore Fund.

George Cohen was awarded an MBE in 2000 alongside fellow ‘66 winners Roger Hunt, Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, and Nobby Stiles. He is honored at Fulham with a statue outside Craven Cottage.

George Cohen’s Death 

George Cohen’s sad passing means there are now only two surviving members of England’s starting side from the 1966 World Cup final.

Jeff Hurst paid tribute to his friend and former team-mate on Friday, saying: "Very sad to hear of the passing of his friend and England team-mate George Cohen.

Everyone, without exception, always said that George was a very nice person. He will be very lonely. My heart goes out to George's wife, Daphne, and his family.

England will pay tribute to Cohen ahead of their next home game, a Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on 26 March.

They were very sad to hear the news of George Cohen’s death that day, said Football Association (FA) chair, Debbie Hewitt.

George has 37 caps for England and was the vice-captain of a world-winning team. My heart goes to George's family and friends at this sad time.

Gary Lineker tweeted that he was Sorry to hear that George Cohen had died. Another hero leaves us from the winning team of the '66 World Championship. He will always have footballing immortality. RIP George.”

Fulham called Cohen one of the greatest players and gentlemen of all time and truly Fulham royalty.

Also Read : Teresa Giudice Talks About Hitting a ‘Wow Factor’ in 2022