HE did the business in the World Cup and now he will be telling his inspirational story at the Echo-Backed South Coast Business Awards.

Sir Geoff Hurst – England's 1966 hat-trick hero – will be the guest speaker at the awards night to be held at the Hilton at the Ageas on July 13.

The former West Ham and England striker is still the only player to have scored three goals in a World Cup final.

Some Germans may still dispute his second goal was over the line but there was no doubt over his third, a crashing left foot shot when some people thought "it was all over", which sealed victory for the host nation in the dying seconds of extra time.

Appropriately the event will be held as this year's World Cup in Russia reaches its final stages and Sir Geoff will no doubt have to some comments to make on the latest tournament and England's performance.

Fifty-two years on from his Wembley exploits Sir Geoff is still very much in demand as a motivational speaker and he told the Echo: "“I am delighted to be speaking at the awards night, supporting local business within the surrounding area."

After his soccer career, Geoff Hurst became a successful businessman, working in the insurance industry.

Already an MBE, he was knighted in 1998 for services to football.

In April 2002, Sir Geoff was appointed by McDonald’s to spearhead the company's football partnerships as its director of football in the UK.

In 2004 when he was inducted in the English Football Hall of Fame.

Sir Geoff will be presenting the awards to the winners of the seven categories of the awards – for which the shortlisted entrants were announced last week.

To find out which of the finalists will take home the prestigious South Coast Business Awards, why not join us for the black tie ceremony being held on Friday, July 13 at the Hilton at the Ageas Bowl, West End, Southampton.

Tickets cost £70 plus vat per person, a table of 10 costs £650 plus vat.

For further information, visit dailyecho.co.uk/scba, contact jo.richardson@dailyecho.co.uk or call 023 8042 4715.

The South Coast Business Awards are sponsored by Trethowans Solicitors and run in partnership with Destination Southampton, Business South and Santander.