Prior to that, Pele’s 1970 World Cup and Geoff Hurst’s 1966 World Cup shirts topped the list of most expensive tops, fetching £157,750 and £91,750 respectively.

The pair had "Weltmeisterschaft 74" on their shirts, which, in the finest literal sense of the German language simply means "World Championship 74." ... World Cup Willie, England 1966.

England 1966: World Cup Willie The original and, for many, ... kitting out two boys in the hosts country's white shirts, one emblazoned with the letters WM (Weltmeisterschaft, ...

WHETHER they’re fun or frightening, entertaining or execrable, the World Cup Finals simply aren’t the same without a mascot for people to enjoy. …Or vilify. From exotic animals to indetermina… ...

World Cup Willie, the mascot of England’s 1966 World Cup, wore a Union Jack shirt, and there was no outcry or even nationalist debate. England fans sported the Union Jack. Clearly there has been ...

Wearing my World Cup Willie rosette, an image of the Union Jack adorned by a plastic replica of the trophy, I enthusiastically joined in the raucous singing that began the moment the game started.

This article has been edited and originally appeared on ESPN FC on June 7, 2014. From the cuddly to the surreal to the conceptual art projects, the World Cup mascots down the years have been a ...

WHETHER they’re fun or frightening, entertaining or execrable, the World Cup Finals simply aren’t the same without a mascot for people to enjoy. …Or vilify. From exotic animals to indetermina… ...

A World Cup first. Once World Cup fever had gone into overdrive following England’s triumph, World Cup Willie – Hoye’s creation and the tournament’s first mascot – was in the vanguard.