England World Cup hero Cohen passes away

Cohen, who was 83, was a pacy and attack-minded right-back who spent his entire club playing career with Fulham, making his debut as a 17-year-old in 1957. He went on to play 459 matches for the London club until a knee injury prematurely ended his career in 1969.

“Everyone associated with Fulham Football Club is desperately saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest ever players – and gentlemen – George Cohen,” the club said in a statement. “He is, quite simply, Fulham royalty.”

Attacking full-back

Cohen’s abilities, especially as an overlapping full-back who was able to contribute to his team’s attacks, came to the notice of England manager Alf Ramsey, who called him up for his national team debut against Uruguay in 1964. An injury to the regular England right-back Jimmy Armfield meant that Cohen would keep his place in the England side as it prepared for the World Cup on home soil.

Fulham-born Cohen became an important component in Ramsey’s team as England set out on their 1966 World Cup campaign. He went on to play in all six matches in the final tournament, and his forays down the right wing were crucial from a tactical point of view in England’s team of “Wingless Wonders” – so called because Ramsey decided during the tournament to field a team without conventional wingers. The England coach would call Cohen “England’s greatest right-back”.

Football immortal

Along with his team-mates, Cohen would gain footballing immortality in his country, acting as team vice-captain as England swept to the title with a thrilling 4-2 extra-time success over West Germany at Wembley. He eventually wore the England shirt on 37 occasions.

The English Football Association paid tribute to Cohen. “We are very sad to hear the news of George Cohen’s death,” said FA chair Debbie Hewitt. “We would like to pass on our deep condolences to George’s family and friends at this sad time."

Following his enforced retirement, Cohen coached Fulham’s youth team and England’s Under-23 side, before he changed career to move into the property and building markets.

He returned to Fulham as a hospitality host, and both a statue and suite at the club’s Craven Cottage ground bear his name. Cohen also worked together with the Fulham FC Foundation on a fundraising campaign that looked to raise money for dementia and men’s health.