Bro Alfred Ernest “Alf” Ramsey, born on the 22nd January 1920 in Dagenham England. As a youth he was a gifted amateur player. At 22 he played for his army regiment in the London War League. In 1944, Ramsey would become a professional player. He would make his debut with the England national team in 1948 against Switzerland. He was captain of the team three times. His final game as a player for England was in 1953 against Hungary. England lost the match 6-3. In 1955, Ramsey retired as a player to become the manager of Ipswich Town Football Club. With the club he brought them from a third division south team to the top of English Football. He would spend 8 years with the team and would win titles in the third and second division before moving to the top level. He left the team in 1963. In late 1962, Ramsey was appointed the manager of the England national team. He stunned everyone when he announced that England would win the next World Cup which was scheduled for 1966 in England. Up to that point England’s performance on the World stage had been poor. On the 30th July 1966 Ramsey’s prediction came true when England beat the West German team 4-2. Ramsey is the only England manager to win the World Cup. Bro Ramsey was initiated into Freemasonry in 1953 and Raised in October 1954 into Abbey Lodge No.2750 he resigned from Freemasonry in 1981. Bro Ramsey passed away on the 28th April 1999 due to a heart attack while suffering from prostate cancer. After he passed away his wife donated various items of Masonic Regalia to his former Lodge including his Master Masons Apron and Grand Lodge Certificate.
