Sir Alf Ramsey, the manager who guided England to World Cup glory in 1966 was rushed to hospital yesterday.
The legendary football manager, now 78, is in a comfortable condition, said a spokeswoman for Ipswich General Hospital. It is believed he suffered a stroke but the spokeswoman said she could not confirm it.
The one-time apprentice grocer was knighted by the Queen the year after the 1966 World Cup triumph, but he was dismissed after England failed to qualify for the 1974 World Cup finals.
The Football Association defended the sacking by saying Sir Alf was too stubborn and set in his ways.
Apart from an abortive return in 1977 as a consultant with Birmingham City, and a role advising Graham Taylor when he was England manager, he never returned to football.
England manager Glenn Hoddle, captain Alan Shearer and members of the 1966 World Cup winning team, sent the former England boss their best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Hoddle, who is currently trying to repeat Sir Alf's 1966 triumph in France 98, said: "He has a special place in the history of English football and always will have. His achievement in 1966 remains an inspiration to everybody, including me, more than 30 years later."
Hoddle's sentiments were echoed by Shearer who voiced the concern and hopes for Sir Alf on behalf of the 1998 players. "All the players send their good wishes to Sir Alf," said the Newcastle striker. "The team he led to World Cup success in 1966 is an example to us all today. We desperately want to achieve the same thing."
