Ray Wilson's England 1966 World Cup winner's medal, .750 continental gold by Peka, inscribed F.I.F.A., WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, WINNERS, JULES RIMET CUP, I

Ray Wilson's England 1966 World Cup winner's medal, .750 continental gold by Peka, inscribed F.I.F.A., WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, WINNERS, JULES RIMET CUP, IN ENGLAND, 1966, RAY WILSON, in replacement case Provenance: Bought at Christie's 27th March 2002, lot 70. Ray Wilson was born at Shirebrook, Derbyshire, 17th December 1934. His skills as a left-back were first spotted by a scout at Huddersfield Town and Wilson signed professional forms at the Yorkshire club in 1952. He made his first-team debut after his National Service v Manchester United in 1955. Ray Wilson made a total of 266 League appearances for Huddersfield, including during the management spell of Bill Shankly, and had been capped 30 times for England - a record for Huddersfield Town - by the time Everton secured his services in 1964. A torn muscle, however, meant that he missed most of the 1964-65 season at Everton. By comparison 1965-66 proved to be the high watermark of his career. Having secured a F.A. Cup winner's medal at Wembley, when Everton beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2, Wilson was selected by Alf Ramsey for the England's 1966 World Cup squad. Undoubtedly Ramsey's first-choice for the No.3 shirt, Ray Wilson played in all six games during England's 1966 World Cup winning campaign. The semi-final v Portugal marked Wilson's 50th international cap and at 32 Ray Wilson was the oldest member of the team that beat West Germany 4-2 (aet) in the final on 30th July. . Post-World Cup, Alf Ramsey continued to select Wilson as England progressed through the qualification process for the 1968 European Championships, ultimately going out in the semi-finals and finishing third overall. Wilson's 63rd and final England cap came in the third-place play-off against USSR. At club level, Wilson appeared at another F.A. Cup final in 1968 this time on a losing Everton side to West Bromwich Albion. Injuries began to take their toll and he was granted a free transfer by Everton in 1969. After a season at Oldham and then at Bradford City, he retired in 1971 following a brief spell as caretaker manager. Ray Wilson then left the world of football completely and built up a successful undertaker's business in Huddersfield. He lives in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield with his wife Pat. They have two children.