World Cup winning legend Sir Geoff Hurst has publicly backed growing calls for England captain Harry Kane to receive a knighthood. The 1966 hat-trick hero expressed his support as Kane prepares to lead the Three Lions in a World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami.
Sir Geoff Hurst Endorses Knighthood for Kane
Sir Geoff, now 84, stated: "Undoubtedly, Harry has become one of the best players in the world. Here's hoping his scoring continues and helps England to win the World Cup after 60 years. Maybe he will even score a hat-trick in the final. Good luck to England, and maybe we will see Sir Harry in the near future."
Kane, 32, is set to earn his 120th cap, surpassing all other England outfield players. He became England's all-time top scorer with 85 goals after scoring a penalty in a 3-2 win against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, nearly 7,300 feet above sea level.
Record-Breaking Achievements on the Pitch
Since being named captain by Sir Gareth Southgate in 2017, Kane has led England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the 2022 quarter-finals. He also captained the team to the Euro 2020 final and the Euro 2024 final. He won the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot in 2018 with six goals, a tally he has already matched in the current tournament.
At club level, Kane is Tottenham Hotspur's record scorer with 280 goals and holds the record for most goals by an Englishman in the UEFA Champions League. Last season with Bayern Munich, he became the first player to win the Bundesliga top scorer award three years in a row, securing his second German league title this year. He is Europe's top scorer across all major leagues with 36 goals.
Off-Field Contributions and Personal Life
Kane launched the Harry Kane Foundation on World Mental Health Day in October 2022, working with experts and charities to promote mental health awareness. He met his wife Kate at Larkswood Primary School in Chingford, east London, and they married in 2019. The couple have four children. Kane attended Chingford Foundation School, the same alma mater as former England captain Sir David Beckham.
Political and Public Support for Knighthood
Olympic swimming great Baroness Sharron Davies praised Kane as a "fabulous role model," stating: "Harry is not only a superb footballer, captain, team player, husband and father who leads by example, but a fabulous role model to young men. He is thoroughly deserving of being a Sir."
MPs from across the political spectrum have also joined the call. Liberal Democrat Tom Morrison said: "I was born in Scotland and should hate Harry Kane but I love him. He's a true English lion that has done everything to make England one of the best teams. Give him a knighthood. The man deserves it." Shadow Sports Secretary Nigel Huddleston agreed, calling a knighthood "very fitting." Tory Shadow sports minister Louie French suggested Prime Minister Keir Starmer could honour Kane in his resignation honours.
