One Fan. Every Match. The Summer That Changed English Football Forever.
(YourDigitalWall Editorial):- Tomah, Wisconsin Jun 25, 2026 (Issuewire.com) – Steve Batchelor released the 60th Anniversary Edition of I Was There in ’66 a rare, first-hand witness account of every England match during the 1966 FIFA World Cup, including the legendary final at Wembley Stadium. Now 77 years old, Batchelor was just 17 when he attended every match, keeping every ticket stub and match programme along the way. Six decades later, he has transformed those keepsakes and vivid memories into a warm, humour-filled chronicle of an era that defined both English football and an entire generation.
“This is a moment in history that has never been recorded from the viewpoint of an ordinary football fan — a light-hearted read, written with warmth and humour, which is how I remember my early family life.”
About the Book
Set against the backdrop of a London pulsating with music and fashion the very epicentre of 1960s cool the book follows a 17-year-old Batchelor through each match of England’s World Cup campaign, with full match commentary bringing every game vividly to life. But the story is far bigger than football. Batchelor was present at the birth of Led Zeppelin, shares kitchen-table and workplace conversations that capture the mood of a nation and traces the journey of an ordinary English family through an extraordinary summer. The 60th Anniversary Edition marks a milestone not only in football history but in the culture of an age unlikely to be repeated.
With the UK press growing increasingly fervent with each passing World Cup about England’s chances of repeating 1966 and with 60 years now having passed without success Batchelor’s account offers something genuinely rare: the unfiltered perspective of a young man who was there, experiencing it all in real time.
The book is described by its author as “a light-hearted read, with no bad language, written with warmth and humour,” offering readers an insight into ordinary English family life alongside the thrill of each match day.
About the Author
Steve Batchelor is a 77-year-old retired businessman and part-time author based in the Northampton region of England. He is also the author of Walking Back to Happiness – Tales of Walking Footballers, a collection of stories about individuals whose lives have been transformed by Walking Football a six-a-side variation of the game where running and heading are prohibited, played primarily by men and women over the age of 50 for health and social wellbeing. Following that book’s success, Batchelor is currently working on a follow-up volume covering the international development of Walking Football across Europe and as far afield as Australia and Singapore.
Recent Media Appearances
- US Television / YouTube: Recorded a 10-minute interview with US screen celebrity Logan Crawford, to be broadcast on US television and internationally via YouTube.
- Print Media: Featured in local newspaper coverage within the Northampton, England region.
- Podcast & Radio: Appeared on podcast and radio programs primarily serving the Northampton area.
Where to Find the Book
For more information, media enquiries, or to purchase I Was There in ’66, visit the author’s official website: https://stevebatchelorauthor.com
You can visit his books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/was-there-66-World-Diary-ebook/dp/B0FBK6FYY9?ref
Media Contact
Prime Seven Media
+1 414-286-4043
201 Helen Walton Drive, Suite #2
