Geoff Hurst says he would support Wembley being sold if the proceeds go to grassroots football.GETTY IMAGES
Former England int'l Geoff Hurst would support the sale of Wembley "if it led to major investment in grassroots football" -- provided a bust of World Cup-winning Manager Alf Ramsey "retains pride of place at the stadium," according to the PA. The FA is "still pondering" a £600M ($776M) offer from Premier League side Fulham Owner Shahid Khan for the site, but any deal "would see the national side continue to play at its traditional home through a leasing agreement." Former ManU player Gary Neville spoke for many critics when he told a government select committee last month that it would be "ridiculous" to proceed, but World Cup winner Hurst "disagrees." Hurst: "There are arguments on both sides and nobody understands about the heritage of the national stadium more than me, but I am probably leaning more towards a successful sale. If nothing much changes, the international teams still play here and the enormous amount of money that comes is used constructively, it could be fantastic." He added, "Channeling kids towards sport and not into those things they shouldn't be doing could bring a big social aspect as well as a sporting aspect" (PA, 8/6).
