Sir Geoff Hurst has received another prestigious honour after being awarded the Freedom of the City of London.
The West Ham United and England legend was presented with the award at a ceremony at London’s Guildhall in recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements.
Hurst spent 14 years with West Ham and remains one of the most celebrated players in the club’s history.
Hurst receives Freedom of the City
West Ham officially confirmed that Hurst received the honour after being nominated by Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley and City of London Corporation policy chairman Chris Hayward.
The 1966 World Cup winner described the award as a “great honour”.
Hurst scored 249 goals in 503 West Ham appearances between 1958 and 1972.
He also helped the Hammers win the FA Cup in 1964 and European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 before producing his famous World Cup final hat-trick for England a year later.
Our look back at West Ham’s extraordinary role in England’s 1966 World Cup triumph explains why Hurst, Bobby Moore and Martin Peters remain so important to the club’s identity.
Another Academy of Football icon honoured
Hurst emerged during one of the defining eras of West Ham’s famed development system.
Our West Ham Academy guide traces how Hurst and his generation helped establish the club’s Academy of Football reputation.
Former captain Mark Noble, himself a Freeman of the City of London, attended Hurst’s ceremony.
More than five decades after his final West Ham appearance, Hurst’s achievements continue to be recognised well beyond football.
