HE WAS the first journalist through the Wembley dressing room door when England won the World Cup.

Now Hampshire-based author Norman Giller is celebrating the 50th anniversary of that red letter day in English football by writing a book called July 30, 1966, Football’s Longest Day.

The former Fleet Street writer has logged an hour by hour record of the day England lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Norman, who lives in Andover, would like Daily Echo readers to play a role in his latest book by sharing their World Cup memories.

He is asking anyone who was watching from the terraces or from their armchairs to share their recollections of the day that England had the world had its soccer footballing feet.

Norman said: “I was in the privileged position of spending the entire day and much of the celebrating night with the England team. I was right at the heart of it and felt on top of the world.

“There are copious quotes from all of the main participants in the drama, a full report on the match and an extensive record of the results and team line ups for every one of their games in the finals.

“What will make the book special is that I am including a section of eyewitness reports and comments from spectators and England supporters, whether they were at Wembley, watched on television or have a particular story to tell. It was the game that touched millions of lives.”

He is halfway through the book which is set to hit the book shelves in the summer to mark the 50th anniversary of the famous victory.

The book will also include Saints’ own World Cup hero Terry Paine, who was part of the 22-man squad but played only one match against Mexico.

Norman says the jet heeled winger turned midfielder was the last winger selected by England manager and former Saints player Sir Alf Ramsey.

So far nearly a third of the World Cup memories Norman has gathered have come from ex-pats overseas.

But he would also like to hear world cup tales from soccer fans living in the Daily Echo circulation area. Deadline for memories is March 30.

He says they might have a memory they wish to share for posterity, or perhaps have a friend or relative who might like to make a contribution.

A prolific writer, Norman recently published his 100th book which was his biography – Headlines Deadlines All My Life.

As the chief football writer for the Daily Express he reported from 33 countries and the former Boxing News reporter had a ringside seat at the big sporting occasions, including England lifting the World Cup.

He was the only newspaper reporter to get into the dressing room after the historic extra time win and he got to touch the Jules Rimet Trophy.

He was also the first to give a congratulatory hug to captain Bobby Moore.

  • World Cup memories can be emailed to worldcup66@normangillerbooks.com