Sir Geoff Supporting Sudbury

West Ham and England legend Sir Geoff Hurst MBE will be rooting for AFC Sudbury in the FA Vase Final, which takes place at Upton Park this Saturday, May 10, thanks to a special connection he holds with the club.

Sir Geoff's father Charlie was player-manager of Sudbury Town FC, which went on to merge with Sudbury Wanderers FC to become AFC Sudbury.

As AFC Sudbury prepared for the final of The FA Vase this week, Sir Geoff recalled following the team as a youngster when his father was in charge during the 1950-51 season.

In fact, it was whilst supporting Sudbury Town that he took one of his first team baths.

At the age of 10, he accidentally fell into the players' bath after Sudbury Town had played Crittalls Athletic.

Sir Geoff revealed: "I can remember feeling a bit wet - and a bit of an idiot!"

Ken Smith, who played alongside Charlie, recalled that the accidental dunking was not the only incident involving young Geoff that day.

He said: "We picked Charlie and one or two of the other players from the Chelmsford area up at a café to go to Braintree for the game.

"When we got to the ground, they suddenly realised that Geoff wasn't there so the coach driver had to go off and find him. He'd been left behind at the café!

"He brought Geoff back and took him into the dressing room at half-time so Charlie knew he was okay.

"After the match, Geoff came into the dressing room and stepped straight into the sunken bath fully-dressed. He had to go home in the goalkeeper's jersey and shorts."

Charlie enjoyed a successful season with Sudbury Town, taking them to third spot in the Essex and Suffolk Border League and to the final of the Suffolk Senior Cup at Portman Road where they lost to Stowmarket.

The left-half had played professionally for Bristol Rovers, Oldham Athletic, and Rochdale before moving to Chelmsford City and subsequently Sudbury Town.

Sir Geoff says his father, who passed away a few years ago, had a great part to play in his success on the pitch.

He said: "My father had a huge influence on my career. He was my hero. He used to spend a lot of time with me in the back garden of our home in Chelmsford, in particular teaching me to kick with my left foot which obviously paid off in the World Cup."

He says his father would have been "thrilled" to see AFC Sudbury reach the final of The FA Vase, especially as it is being played at West Ham's Boleyn Ground.

The Jewson Eastern Counties Premier League champions are hoping to make it a league and cup double when they take on Brigg Town FC on Saturday, May 10.

The Northern Counties East League Premier Division side will be hoping to take The FA Vase back to North Lincolnshire for a second time, having won it in 1996.

Sir Geoff said: "It's their FA Cup and they will get as much enjoyment, satisfaction and fulfilment from playing in the final as the pros get from playing in the FA Cup final.

"There's no difference in the feeling of elation and success if they win or disappointment if they lose."

Sir Geoff hopes AFC Sudbury can go on to win The FA Vase, 14 years after Sudbury Town suffered the heartache of losing in the final to Tamworth FC in a replay.

He said: "It's fantastic for them to be in the final. West Ham have a great stadium and I am sure there will be a terrific atmosphere there. I would like to wish them all the best.

"The most important thing is for them to enjoy it and take in everything on the day - and just give it their best shot."

*Tickets for the final are priced £12 and £10 for adults, and £3 for under-16s and OAPs. They are on sale from AFC Sudbury (01787 375840) and Brigg Town (01652 652284 or 01652 652767), and are also available from West Ham United on 020 8548 2700. Kick-off is at 3pm.