On this day in 1966, Bobby Moore climbed 39 steps, wiped his hands clean of any residue of the Wembley pitch and shook hands with the Queen.
The distinguished defender then took possession of the Jules Rimet trophy, before lifting it aloft to a jubilant crowd.
Unlike the fireworks and posturing that is commonplace today there was little pomp or ceremony to the trophy-lift.
It was simply cradled in both hands above his head while a broad smile sufficed. For the first time in their history, and for the last, England had won the World Cup.
This was – and remains - by some considerable distance English football’s crowning glory and what followed next was a string of iconic images so embedded in our culture and minds they have subsequently decorated tea-towels.
Nobby Stiles dancing. A proud and noble Moore elevated shoulder-high by hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst and George Cohen, with Bobby Charlton clearly emotional to the right of shot.
After negotiating a path past a superb Germany collective, requiring extra-time and a dubious goal-line decision to do so, these men and their team-mates forever burnished themselves as legends.
They are a benchmark of what this small nation is capable of, every so often, when the stars align.
For Sir Alf Ramsey it was a triumph three years in the making, his remit on taking charge in 1963 to forge a team of world-beaters from a group of players who had applied themselves well at Chile, 1962, but hardly upset the football betting.
In South America, a side propelled by Charlton in his prime and the incomparable Johnny Haynes edged their way through the group stage before succumbing to Brazil.
This was a team resplendent with world-class talent but ultimately, at the very highest level, limited.
Furthermore, as international football greater embraced technicality and tactical nuance, England were in danger of regressing, something that regrettably did happen from the Seventies on.
That though was not a pressing concern post-Chile. What mattered was that looming on the horizon was Wembley and the hosting of a major tournament for the first time. England expected.
Ramsey’s first act was to demand full autonomy when picking the side, selections previously done by committee. His second act was to instal a 22-year-old Bobby Moore as his captain.
The third fundamental change took time, occurring organically and born out of pragmatism, that being the famed 4-3-3 formation that became known as his ‘wingless wonders’.
In truth, foregoing natural wide-men for an industrious midfield three was not the manager’s ideal but his best eleven dictated it.
Moreover, there was a balance to Charlton, Nobby Stiles and Alan Ball that was impossible to ignore.
What’s the betting however, that the traditionalist journalists of the day were highly critical of this unusual shape when England struggled to break down a stubborn Uruguay in their opening game?
Consecutive 2-0 wins – over Mexico and France – presumably quietened the doubts soon after.
Having comfortably progressed through their group Argentina were next, an infamous clash that saw Ramsey later brand their opponents as ‘animals’ for their unsporting approach.
By the time Portugal headed to the national stadium, Eusebio and all, for the semi-final, a country was starting to believe that something magical was possible.
At this juncture, it is tempting to return to the aforementioned regression that held England back thereafter ’66, as they doubled down on traits that were swiftly becoming outdated.
But this is an anniversary, so let’s have none of that.
Instead, let us recall that on July 30th, 1966, eleven men became lions as England bested the rest of the world.
