George Cohen, a World Cup champion for England, has sadly passed away at age 83. Let’s see how the famous football player died and George Cohen’s cause of death in detail.
How did George Cohen die?
England has lost another member of its 1966 World Cup-winning squad with the death of Fulham icon George Cohen at the age of 83.
Cohen, a one-club player at Craven Cottage, made his Three Lions debut in a 2-1 victory over Uruguay in 1962, and by the time the home tournament rolled around four years later, he had cemented himself as Sir Alf Ramsey’s first-choice full-back.
So sad to hear about the passing of George Cohen. I had the pleasure of meeting this absolute gentleman on many occasions. So sad that another of our ‘66 boys has gone …RIP George #eng
— Tony Cottee (@TonyCottee9) December 23, 2022
He served as vice-captain as England defeated West Germany in the championship match at Wembley, and one year later, he played his last international match, becoming the first member of England’s 1966 XI to retire from international competition.
George Cohen MBE, one of Fulham Football Club’s all-time finest players and gentleman, passed away, and the Cottagers released the following statement in response.
‘A one-club man, George made 459 appearances for his beloved Whites, in addition to earning 37 England caps, with whom he famously won the World Cup in 1966.’
Everyone at Fulham Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our greatest ever players – and gentlemen – George Cohen MBE.
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 23, 2022
George Cohen’s cause of death:
On December 23, two days before Christmas, Fulham announced that one of their greatest club legends had passed away at the age of 83. George Cohen is the most recent member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team to pass away.
Very sad to hear my friend and @England teammate George Cohen has died. Everyone, without exception, always said that George was such a lovely man. He will be sadly missed, my heartfelt thoughts are with George’s wife Daphne and his family.
— Sir Geoff Hurst (@TheGeoffHurst) December 23, 2022
Only Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst have left of the starting XI from the victory 56 years ago after Cohen’s passing. On Ramsey’s team, only Charlton, Hurst, George Eastham, Terry Paine, and Ian Callaghan are still alive. However, the George Cohen’s cause of death is unknown.
Sorry to hear that George Cohen has died. Another of the heroes of the ‘66 World Cup winning team leaves us. He’ll always have footballing immortality. RIP George.
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) December 23, 2022
Who was George Cohen?
Cohen was born on Fulham’s Cassidy Road just after the Second World War started. His family was split Equally between Chelsea and Fulham. From Fulham Central high school, where he was head boy, he joined his neighborhood football team. Now known as Fulham College Boys’ School.
At the age of 17, Cohen made his senior debut in a 2-1 loss to Liverpool in March 1957 due to his power and speed. He scored six goals while playing for the Cottagers between 1956 and 1969. Cohen has made 459 appearances for the team, more than any other player save for five.
Cohen would have participated in more games had a catastrophic knee injury not ended his career early and forced him to retire at the age of 29.
Football Career:
In 1966, Cohen was Sir Alf Ramsey’s first option at right-back to England, and he participated in every minute of the competition as his team famously advanced to the final on home soil. In total, he received 37 international caps during his playing career.
Between 1956 and 1969, he was a regular for Fulham as well. He made 459 appearances for the team of his youth before being forced to retire. England’s victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup Final is still regarded as the country’s highest point in football history.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown honored Cohen with a medal for his contribution to England’s historic victory in 1966. When he was 23 years old, he wed Daphne, and they later settled in Chessington, Surrey.
Prior to Gary Neville and Phil Neal, Cohen was voted the best right back in England by the general population in a Channel 4 documentary.
He was a crucial component of Ramsey’s tactical plan for England in 1966, and his attacking skills provided a forward threat on the wing. He crossed the ball to Charlton, who scored the game-winning goal that gave England the victory over Portugal in the semifinal.
Tributes to George Cohen:
Dom Smith tweeted,
NEW: 1966 World Cup winner George Cohen has died aged 83. He won 37 England caps. Of the 1966-winning squad, only Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst are still alive now.
Dominic McSweeney tweeted,
RIP George Cohen. True Fulham and England legend. It was an honor to have met him and be part of the fundraising for his much-deserved statue. Will never be forgotten by his only club.
Peter Rutzler tweeted,
Fulham has lost one of the greats. George Cohen, the Fulham legend and World Cup winner, has sadly passed away, aged 83. My thoughts are with his family and friends. He will be missed dearly at Craven Cottage. #FFC
Duncan Wright posted,
Time waits for no one – and sadly we have lost another part of that unique moment in English football history with the passing of George Cohen. It’s vital generations venerate those players as much as we have done. True giants of the game.
Uncle Norman Giller tweeted,
Farewell George Cohen, not only a fabulous footballer but the nicest man you could wish to meet. He’s been fighting cancer without complaint for 40+ years and has finally given up the battle at 83. Rest easy old friend. Only Sir Bobby and Sir Geoff left of the 66 team #RIPGeorgeCohen
RIP & god bless George Cohen. Another 66 Winner sadly gone 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/4IJtGhCZtt
— WHU Legends XI Prints ⚒ (@whulegends_XI) December 23, 2022
MOTM Football tweeted,
George Cohen, a member of England’s legendary 1966 World Cup winning squad has sadly passed away. Rest in peace.
Our thoughts go out to the family & friends of George Cohen following today’s devastating news.
A true gentlemen, a superb fullback & of course, our World Cup winner. His statue stands tall at the Cottage & his legacy will live on forever.
A true legend. RIP George 🖤🤍🏴 pic.twitter.com/wrjMT5GiHH
— Fulham Focus (@Fulham_Focus) December 23, 2022
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