'Dementia has a terrible effect on those who live with the person every day'

World Cup winner's support for footballers with disease

- Chris Riches

WORLD Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst is backing a new campaign to help former footballers with dementia - in honour of his fallen England teammates who suffered from the disease.

Sir Geoff, 82, scored the first hattrick in a World Cup final to help his side beat Germany 4-2 at Wembley 58 years ago today.

But the West Ham legend is now the sole survivor of that legendary 1966 team with five of the side having died with dementia in the past six years.

These are his best friend Martin Peters, who scored England's other goal in that historic final, brothers Bobby and Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles and Ray Wilson.

Sir Geoff is linking up with the Jeff Astle Foundation to raise money to support former players living with the condition and raise awareness about the dangers of heading footballs.