The Official Website for Sir Geoff Hurst

News: Sir Geoff to be reunited with iconic '66 ball

Sir Geoff Hurst is to be reunited with one of the most famous icons of English sporting history, the ball from the '66 World Cup Final, as part of his 70th birthday celebrations on 8th December, 2011.

The ball is to travel from the National Football Museum in Manchester to the Park Plaza Hotel, London, the location for this year's Sparks Winter Ball, the annual flagship event for the children's medical research charity.

This year, the Winter Ball is celebrating the birthday of its long-term champion, friend and former president, Sir Geoff, who is to receive a Lifetime Presidency Award from the charity's patron, HRH Princess Michael of Kent.

The orange ball, owned by the Daily Mirror, Eurostar and the Virgin Group, will be personally escorted by two representatives from the Museum, including Kevin Moore, Director, as it makes a rare trip from its home at National Football Museum in honour of this special occasion.

The Museum is currently being rebuilt in its new location in one of Manchester's landmark buildings, Urbis, where it is due to reopen in 2012 and is expected to attract over 350,000 visitors per year.

To complete the picture, joining Sir Geoff will be his former team mate, and fellow World Cup Final goal scorer, Martin Peters.

The opportunity to be photographed with the two World Cup heroes and the iconic orange ball will be auctioned to the highest bidders on the night with the proceeds going to the Sparks charity.

• For further details please visit contact Jacqueline Alexander via the contact form. Thank you.