Lifelong Cheltenham Town Supporter Adrian Bailey to Celebrate New Book with Special 1966 World Cup Evening
5th October 2026
Football fans will have the opportunity to step back into one of the most iconic moments in English sporting history when Adrian Bailey hosts a special evening celebrating his new book, 1966 England’s Glory Match, at Cheltenham Town Football Club.
The event will take place at Whaddon Road on Thursday 29th October 2026, bringing together football, history, first hand memories and a very special collection of 1966 World Cup memorabilia.
A lifelong football obsessive and former MP, Adrian has written 1966 England’s Glory Match to preserve the memories and atmosphere of England’s famous 1966 World Cup triumph for a new generation.
But Adrian is not writing about the tournament simply as a historian.
He was there.
On 30 July 1966, Adrian stood behind the goal at Wembley and watched Geoff Hurst score his famous hat trick as England defeated West Germany in the World Cup final.
As an almost penniless undergraduate, Adrian heard a radio report about tickets for the tournament and took a chance. He reached for his chequebook and sent £7 15 shillings for every London group match, as well as the final.
He never expected the tickets to arrive.
They did.
That decision gave him a place inside Wembley for one of the most celebrated days in English football history.
In 1966 England’s Glory Match, Adrian offers more than match statistics and tactical analysis. Through his own experiences, he provides a unique living memory of the tournament, alongside a wider social history of Britain in the Swinging Sixties.
The book explores everything from the theft of the Jules Rimet Trophy to the controversial Wembley goal, while taking readers behind the scenes of the tournament through the eyes of a supporter who witnessed it first-hand.
It also brings together memories from fellow supporters who experienced that unforgettable summer, while drawing a line between England’s 1966 triumph and the hope surrounding the 2026 World Cup.
A special evening for a special cause
The evening will celebrate Adrian’s book, with copies of 1966 England’s Glory Match available to purchase and have signed on the night.
Proceeds from the sale of the books will be donated to Cheltenham Town Community Trust, a charity that Adrian is an avid supporter of.
There will also be a special auction featuring several items from Adrian’s personal collection of football memorabilia, with proceeds from the auction also going towards Cheltenham Town Community Trust.
Among the highlights will be a large framed collection of prints from the 1966 England match, signed by Geoff Hurst, whose hat trick secured England’s only World Cup triumph.
The auction will provide football fans with a rare opportunity to own a piece of football history while supporting the work of the Community Trust across Gloucestershire.
Adrian said:
“I was incredibly fortunate to be at Wembley in 1966 and to witness England become world champions. Those memories have stayed with me throughout my life. I wanted to capture not just what happened on the pitch, but what it felt like to be there and what life was like at the time.”
“I am also a great supporter of the work Cheltenham Town Community Trust does in the community, so being able to donate the proceeds from the book sales and auction makes the evening even more special.”
Adrian’s connection with football extends well beyond the 1966 World Cup. He has supported Cheltenham Town Football Club since 1958 and, despite living in Sandwell, regularly travels to Whaddon Road to cheer on the Robins.
The event therefore brings together two important parts of Adrian’s life: his lifelong love of Cheltenham Town and his extraordinary experience of witnessing England’s greatest footballing achievement.
Event details
1966 England’s Glory Match – An Evening with Adrian Bailey
Date: Thursday 29 October 2026
Venue: EV Charger Points Stadium, Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, GL52 5NA
Arrival: 6.30pm
Start: 7.00pm
The evening will include:
- Stories and memories from Adrian’s experience of the 1966 World Cup
- A celebration of 1966 England’s Glory Match
- Book sales and signing with Adrian Bailey
- A display of football memorabilia from Adrian’s personal collection
- A special auction featuring several items from Adrian’s collection including a large framed collection of prints signed by Geoff Hurst
- Proceeds from book sales and the auction donated to Cheltenham Town Community Trust
Tickets are free, but must be prebooked in advance. Places are limited and can be booked here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cheltenhamtowncommunitytrust/2429467