Alzheimer’s Society reveal most unforgettable moments on England team’s 150th birthday

Wednesday 30 November 2022 is the 150th anniversary of the England men’s senior team, and as World Cup fever continues to take hold, our charity partners Alzheimer’s Society have revealed some of England’s most unforgettable moments.

To mark our first ever international match, against Scotland on 30 November 1872, some of the best moments from the last 60 years have now been brought to life by Private Eye cartoonist Tony Husband.

Whether it’s David Beckham’s goal against Greece or the World Cup victory in 1966, the nation’s most memorable England moments highlight how great football should be unforgettable.

But for many fans living with dementia, they lose treasured memories from watching teams past and present on screens and in stadiums.

A survey of over 1000 fans in the UK revealed England lifting the World Cup in 1966 is the most memorable football moment overall in the team’s 150-year history (9%)

That moment narrowly beats the England Women’s team, who also celebrated their 50-year anniversary this year, winning EURO 2022 on home soil this year - receiving only 15 fewer votes (8%).

Kate Lee, CEO at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “There’s no doubt that as the nation gets swept up in World Cup fever, leaving billions on the edge of their seats across the globe, we’re going to see some incredible goals, saves and free-kicks being added to a large bank of unforgettable moments in the England team’s 150-year history.

“These great sporting memories should be unforgettable but sadly that is not the case for many fans and players with dementia.

“That’s why, as the tournament progresses, we’re encouraging people to help us support the 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK, enough to fill Wembley Stadium ten times over.

“We need to reach more people than ever before, and we need to reach them sooner. Thanks to the FA and through generous donations, we can help make sure even more families are being offered help and hope through some of the most frightening times in their lives.”

Most memorable England football moments by decade

1960s

1. England lifting the trophy after winning the World Cup (1966) (33%)
2. "They think it's all over! It is now" from Kenneth Wolstenholme's BBC TV commentary of the World Cup final (1966) (26%)
3. Sir Geoff Hurst's hat-trick in the World Cup final (1966) (19%)

1970s

1. Gordon Banks' stunning save from Pelé in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil in the group stage of the World Cup (1970) (31%)
2. Pelé and Bobby Moore swap shirts at the World Cup (1970) (19%)
3. England's last-minute defeat to Germany in the World Cup (1970) (16%)

1980s

1. Maradona's ‘Hand of God’ goal against England during the World Cup quarter finals (1986) (43%)
2. Gary Lineker's hat-trick against Poland at the World Cup (1986) (17%)
3. John Barnes’ goal against Brazil at the Maracana (1984) (16%)

1990s

1. Paul Gascoigne crying at the 1990 World Cup semi-final (1990) (26%)
2. The 'Three Lions' song is released (1996) (22%)
3. Paul Gascoigne's goal and celebration against Scotland at EURO 96 (19%)

2000s

1. David Beckham’s free kick against Greece for World Cup qualification (2001) (29%)
2. Michael Owen gets a hat-trick against Germany in Munich in the World Cup qualifier (2001) (27%)
3. David Beckham's free kick against Ecuador takes England to the World Cup quarter finals, as he becomes the first England player to score in three World Cups (2006) (18%)

2010s

1. Frank Lampard’s ghost goal against Germany in the World Cup (2010) (25%)
2. England beat Colombia on penalties to progress to the World Cup quarter finals (2018) (22%)
3. Kieran Trippier's free-kick against Croatia in the World Cup semi-final (2018) (20%)

2020s

1. England Women's team lifting the EURO trophy (2022) (34%)
2. The men’s team beating Germany at Wembley in EURO 2020 (2021) (28%)
3. Chloe Kelly's goal and celebration from EURO 2022 Final (2022) (15%)

Overall most-memorable England football moment of all time

1. England lifting the trophy after winning the World Cup (1966) (9%)
2. England Women's team lifting the EURO trophy (2022) (8%)
3. Maradona's ‘Hand of God’ goal against England during the World Cup quarter finals (1986) (7%)

Most-memorable England football goal of all time

1. David Beckham against Greece for World Cup qualification (2001) (22%)
2. Paul Gascoigne against Scotland at the Euros (1996) (19%)
3. Michael Owen against Argentina at the World Cup (1998) (17%)

Mark Bullingham, FA chief executive, added: "We’re proud to continue to work in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society and celebrate this historic milestone together with these fantastic images. Alzheimer’s Society’s support services make a massive difference to millions affected by dementia.

"We hope that by getting nostalgic, and sharing football memories, we can help to raise further awareness of dementia and the vital support that Alzheimer’s Society offers, and hopefully raise plenty of money for the charity too.”

As well as raising vital funds and awareness of Alzheimer’s Society’s services, which were used 4.2 million times last year, the partnership will increase understanding and break down stigma around dementia, helping fans affected by dementia remain part of the game. Alzheimer’s Society will also work with The FA to provide research expertise and ensure The FA is prioritising and funding world-class research to best protect players for generations to come.

Find out more about Alzheimer’s Society’s work with sport, including its partnership with the FA

Anyone worried about their memory can download the Alzheimer’s Society symptoms checklist, endorsed by the Royal College of GPs, to support people to get a diagnosis.