Geoff Hurst on how dementia has hit World Cup partner Martin Peters

Peters, who played alongside Hurst for England and West Ham, suffers from Alzheimer’s.

Hurst scored three and Peters got the other in a 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley 51 years ago which still remains the high point in the history of the England national team.

But Hurst knows there is little chance of being able to enjoy moments reminiscing with his old friend about the glory days under Sir Alf Ramsey and at Upton Park, or indeed of Peters ever recovering from such a debilitating disease.

“It is very very difficult, whether he would recognise me or know me,” said Hurst when asked whether he or others had tried to maintain a friendship with former Sheffield United manager Peters.

“We have discussed it with his wife and family, and we have left it that we would not get involved, apart from my wife talking to his wife, and I think she appreciates that, to have someone she can talk to and discuss how Martin is.

“It is heart-breaking for the people involved, and almost impossible to understand how difficult it is for the families. It is a disease which doesn’t get better.

“If you have a physical disease, or a broken leg, you can recover from it and get better in time, with dementia it only goes one way, albeit at different levels.

“That is the awful thing about it, because it is not going to get any better than it is today, in fact it is going to deteriorate.

“My wife Judith speaks closely with Martin’s wife, Kathy, almost daily.

“It is not necessarily the person themselves - who is not aware that they have dementia - it is the huge, enormous effect which it has on the carer, the husband or wife, the family members, which is all terribly difficult.”