The legendary raincoat belonging to Sir Alf Ramsey, the mastermind behind England's historic 1966 World Cup victory, has been discovered after spending forty years hidden in a south east London cupboard.
The Remarkable Discovery
The smart raincoat was found complete with Sir Alf's woollen gloves still tucked away in the pockets following the recent passing of Daily Mirror sports desk secretary Chris Kelly. The coat had been carefully preserved under the stairs at her home since the 1980s, when she was given permission to take it home after the former England manager left it hanging in the Mirror's sports department.
Chris's cousin Richard Norman, 60, explained the significance of the find. "She always kept it hanging up in a cupboard under the stairs. She was very proud that she had a coat from Sir Alf and often talked about it over the years," he said. "It's incredible to think Chris, and her family, have a coat belonging to Sir Alf Ramsey - the only man to manage England to win the World Cup."
Revealing Untold Stories
New anecdotes shared at Chris's funeral have shed fresh light on Sir Alf's character and his enduring relationship with the Daily Mirror. One particularly poignant story involves Ramsey asking Chris to walk him down Wembley Way because he'd never experienced it on foot before.
"He told her: 'I'd never walked down it before. When I've been to Wembley before I've always arrived in a coach,'" Richard recalled. As fans began to recognise the legendary manager during their walk, Ramsey turned to Chris and said: "My dear can I go back now." This is believed to have been one of his final visits to the iconic stadium before his death.
Historian and author Grant Bage, who wrote "The Unseen Sir Alf", described the discovery as "very touching" and noted that these stories provide new insights into Ramsey's life, particularly revealing that he maintained contact with army colleagues decades after his military service.
A Manager Known for His Style
Sir Alf Ramsey was renowned throughout his career as one of football's best-dressed managers, something he took great pride in. Grant Bage shared another anecdote from a woman who recalled meeting Ramsey on a London street in the 1970s, describing him as "a glamorous man... like a cabinet minister" due to his immaculate appearance.
The coat's discovery comes after Sir Alf's somewhat strained relationship with the Football Association following his dismissal as England manager. Richard Norman revealed that the FA didn't provide tickets for games, with the Mirror instead arranging transport and access for Ramsey and his army friend to attend matches.
Chris Kelly's close friend and fellow Mirror secretary Louise Flood remembered how "Chris was so proud to have been a friend of Sir Alf Ramsey. And she was delighted when she was given his coat." The garment now stands as a tangible connection to one of English football's most important figures, preserving both his memory and his legendary sense of style.
