England football immortalised with ‘unforgettable’ cartoons to celebrate World Cup, raising awareness of dementia

As World Cup fever takes hold, Alzheimer’s Society reveals England’s most unforgettable moments over the past 60 years, to mark the team’s first ever international match (Scotland v England, 30 November 1872).

Brought to life by Private Eye cartoonist Tony Husband, the nation’s most memorable England moments highlights how great football should be unforgettable, yet for many fans living with dementia, they lose treasured memories from watching teams past and present on screens and in stadiums.

Alzheimer’s Society is The Football Association’s (FA) official charity partner for the upcoming season, raising crucial funds and awareness to support fans and players affected by dementia.

Watch the England Men's football team share their their unforgettable moments to mark World Alzheimer’s Month in the video below:

England's most unforgettable football moments

A survey of over 1000 UK football fans revealed England lifting the trophy after winning the World Cup in 1966 is the most memorable football moment overall in the team’s 150-year history (9%), narrowly beating the England Women’s team, who also celebrate their 50-year anniversary this year, lifting the trophy at Euro 2022 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 10 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.'

Top 3 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 hattrick in the World Cup final (1966) (19%)

England lifting the trophy after winning the World Cup (1966) by Tony Husband

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%)

Gordon Banks' save from Pelé in the 1-0 defeat to Brazil in the group stage of the World Cup (1970) by Tony Husband

1980s

1. Maradona's hand of God goal against England during the World Cup quarter finals (1986) (43%)
2. Gary Lineker's hattrick against Poland at the World Cup (1986) (17%)
3. John Barnes goal against Brazil (1984) (16%)

Maradona's hand of God goal against England during the World Cup quarter finals (1986) by Tony Husband

1990s

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

Paul Gascoigne crying at the 1990 World Cup semi-final (1990) by Tony Husband

2000s

1. David Beckham free kick against Greece for World Cup qualification (2001) (29%)
2. Michael Owen gets a hattrick 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, and becomes the first England player to score in three World Cups (2006) (18%)

David Beckham's free kick against Greece for World Cup qualification (2001) by Tony Husband

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 at the World Cup (2018) (20%)

2020s

1. England Women's team lifting the Euro trophy (2022) (34%)
2. Beating Germany at Euros (2021) (28%)
3. Chloe Kelly's goal and celebration from Euro final (2022) (15%)

England Women's team lifting the Euro trophy (2022) by Tony Husband

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

The original images immortalized by cartoonist Tony Husband, whose father had dementia, will be auctioned off next year to raise money for the charity. Tony Husband said:

As a football fan, and someone who knows the heartbreak of dementia first-hand, it’s been a real pleasure to bring these unforgettable moments to life and help raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Society at the same time.

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.'

Our work with sport

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.