Sir Geoff Hurst will always remain central to the greatest achievement in English football history.

The former West Ham striker produced the famous hat-trick that helped the Three Lions become world champions at Wembley 60 summers ago, but only a few months before that, his place in England’s squad for the 1966 World Cup was by no means certain.

Hurst needed patience, careful preparation and, ultimately, Jimmy Greaves’ unfortunate injury before he was handed his chance by Sir Alf Ramsey.

Looking back on how he forced his way into England’s starting XI that summer, Hurst says he was keen not to let his expectations run away with him before the tournament.

“Well, you don't get too far ahead of yourself,” Hurst told FourFourTwo. “You might find it surprising but, although we were successful at West Ham, it was never really on my radar.”

Hurst’s policy of letting his performances for West Ham at Upton Park speak for themselves eventually brought its reward, with the England call arriving at just the right moment.

“It was quite a surprise when I received a letter from the FA in December ‘65 saying I was picked for the game in February against West Germany at Wembley. You come and play and do your best, and hopefully the manager sees enough in you.

“Thankfully, he did. It wasn’t just me, either. Martin Peters, my team-mate at West Ham and room-mate on England duty, played his first game in May that year. He went on to score the other goal in the final, of course. We were cutting it fine!”

Although Hurst was included in Ramsey’s 22-man World Cup squad, he did not actually start a match until England’s quarter-final victory over Argentina. That opportunity came only after first-choice striker Jimmy Greaves suffered an injury in the final group-stage game. But Hurst says that situation did not leave him frustrated.

“Not for one second,” he insisted. “I was honestly just so ecstatic to be in the squad for a home World Cup.

“I often joke that Alf Ramsay picked two average players ahead of me, in Jimmy Greaves and Roger Hunt, before finally getting it right. But, of course, those two were phenomenal strikers and I was thrilled to support the team however I could.

“That was a good attitude because, when your chance comes in life, you have to be ready to take it and I did.

“Saying that, I was honestly so sad for the great Jimmy Greaves, who damaged his leg against France. He deserved to play on.”