The Unseen Sir Alf: Book Launch and Talk

Becontree boy Sir Alf Ramsey became a national hero when, in 1966, he managed the England’s men’s football team to win the World Cup, still its only global football trophy. But was Alf a local, Barking and Dagenham hero too?

Grant Bage answers ‘Yes’ to that question in a radical retelling of Alf Ramsey’s life story. The Unseen Sir Alf is the first new Ramsey biography since 2006. Alf spent most of his first 35 years living in Dagenham or Barking and visited frequently for years after that. But what forces shaped this complex character’s relationship with his birthplace, why has he never been fully understood, and how did the qualities from Alf’s upbringing and community help him – and England – to achieve greatness?

This free talk by the author will tell the story of Alf’s time in the Borough and celebrate how the Valence House Archive and Local Studies Centre has played a crucial role in researching the book. There may even be the occasional reference to 1966! The talk will be followed by a Q&A session.

Book via Ticket Tailor https://www.tickettailor.com/events/valencehousemuseum

The Tulip Tree Tearoom will be open before and after the talk if you would like to purchase any refreshments.

You may also like the following events from Valence House:

• This Friday, 5th September, 09:00 am, Barking Abbey: Academic Symposium in Barking

Also check out other Sports events in Dagenham, Arts events in Dagenham.