Alumni Memories of ‘66 

Two members of Alleyn’s Last Lap Club – a self-titled group of some of Alleyn’s finest sportsmen from the 50s and 60s, share their memories of 1966 since it's the 60th anniversary of England beating Germany 4-2 this year with the World Cup in USA, Canada & Mexico.  

David Weston (Cribb’s 1956) recalls: 

I met a rosy cheeked cockney chap at a party. His name was Roy who had won a soccer blue at Cambridge. Quite a feat for a working class in those days. He informed me that he had acquired the sole rights for selling souvenirs of World Cup Willie outside Wembley Stadium, and wanted lots of helpers to sell the stuff in the limited time. He couldn’t afford to pay but he had the best seats for all the games. I was about to start rehearsing an all-star production, led by Laurence Harvey that was due to open at the Edinburgh Festival. As my evenings were free, I offered Roy my services. Thus began a hectic few weeks that are ingrained into my memory. Dashing from rehearsals in a seedy dance hall in Victoria in my scarlet mini up to Wembley and selling key rings, pens, pennants and dolls to eager fans from all nations. Then the games. First a boring draw against a streetwise Argentina, who Sir Alf Ramsey described as animals. Nobody thought we had a chance of winning. The second game a 2-0 victory over Mexico lifted our spirits and we only had to beat France to through to the quarter finals. I had perfected my quick route to Wembley and was perturbed when I discovered that the game was to be played at the White City athletics stadium, but I managed to get there on time. I remember the game had no atmosphere, France was not the powerful soccer nation it is today and we duly won 2-0, both goals coming from the unfancied Liverpool player, Roger Hunt. 

It was back to Wembley for another meeting with Argentina. I was becoming very proficient at flogging Roy’s invaluable trinkets, and England were likewise improving. They won 1-0, thanks to a 78th minute header from the relatively unknown Geoff Hurst, who had come in to replace our best forward, Jimmy Greaves. 

The Winter’s Tale, however, was not making such good progress. Laurence Harvey was finding Leontes a difficult part, and some of the older distinguished artists in the company were having trouble with their lines. 

We were through to the semifinal to face Portugal and their star player, Eusabio, ranked only just below the great Pele. I sold my last key ring and hurried into the stadium as the teams were coming onto the pitch. There was no Jimmy Greaves although he was fit. Roy had kept his word we had the very best seats, I looked along the row and saw Jimmy Greaves, although he was smiling his face was grief stricken. 

England played very well and won 2-1 thanks to a brace of goals from Bobby Charlton. All was set for the final on Saturday. We were on the last week of rehearsal. We had Saturday off to travel up to Edinburgh over the weekend. But the production was still in trouble. We had a disastrous final run through on Friday, and Laurence Harvey decided that we had to have another run through on Saturday. What was I to do? Miss the final? I toyed with the thought of a bilious attack, but it was against all I had been taught at RADA, I was playing Florizel, the juvenile lead, besides my understudy was pretty good and I didn’t want people to think he was better than me. 

So, like Jimmy Greaves, I missed the final. My high-minded principles did my career little good. The critic of The Financial Times wrote: “Jane Asher’s Perdita, is not helped by her chubby Florizel.” 

David Weston

A talented sportsman and Drama student, after leaving Alleyn’s, David went on to become an actor and author. In 2011 Weston published Covering McKellen: An Understudy's Tale, a memoir of the year he spent as Ian McKellen's understudy in the Royal Shakespeare Company's tour of King Lear. In 2014 Weston published Covering Shakespeare: An Actor's Saga of Near Misses and Dogged Endurance, a memoir of his experiences performing in productions of Shakespeare's plays. 

Peter Jackson (Dutton's 1957) recalls: 

My experience in ‘66 was rather less exciting. 

I was a young Area Manager with Proctor & Gamble based in Liverpool and was delighted to buy tickets for all the games in the North West, the Quarter and Semi Finals. And the 3rd & 4th place match as well as the Final.  

Sheer bliss as both Portugal and Brazil were playing in the North West. Eusebio and Pele! 

Just before the tournament l got posted to Ireland to train the sales Force of a new Distributor for a year. Great for the career, but disastrous otherwise as l missed every game! 

I did see, or rather hear, the match against France in Galway. Reception was dreadful - like watching a snowstorm. Thoroughly frustrating as even in Dublin in those days TV reception from the UK wasn’t great but at least I was able to watch some of the games. 

You may remember that Dave Jacobs played alongside Jimmy Greaves in the England Youth team in 57. 

Peter Jackson

After Alleyn’s, Peter went on to have a successful career in sales, marketing, general management and consultancy with (among others) Adidas, P&G, Mars and KPMG.  

The Last Lappers meet annually for a reunion back at Alleyn's. The reunion, hosted by Barry Graham (Brading's 1956) in partnership with the School, includes lunch and the chance to catch up with other members of this sporting group from the 1950s and 1960s and beyond. There is the opportunity to hear from the School and chat with some of our current aspiring athletes. If you were involved in athletics at Alleyn's, and you're interested in the Last Lap Club please find out more or do get in touch. 

Header image shows the 2025 Last Lap Reunion with Peter front left and David front fourth from the left.