The improbable success of Alf Ramsey
On the 100th anniversary of his birth, ASIF BURHAN considers Sir Alf's rise from Dagenham grocery boy to England's most successful manager
Sir Alf Ramsey, who was born 100 years ago today
THE only man to lead a senior England team to a major international trophy is buried in Ipswich’s Old Cemetery, under a simple grey headstone dwarfed by the surrounding black tombstones.
In front, I find a fresh holly wreath left by relatives with a Christmas message for “Auntie Victoria and Uncle Alf.” There is no mention anywhere of his role in the greatest-ever achievement in English football.
100 years ago today, Alfred Ernest Ramsey was born in Dagenham, then a small village in rural Essex. Not until 47 years later, when Alfred became Sir Alf — the manager who led England to World Cup victory — was his date of birth revealed to those in the game.
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