IT WAS another bright summer's day, with barely a cloud in the sky, and the heroes of 1966 were back out on the grass.

But when Sir Geoff Hurst, Alan Ball and the rest of England's legendary World Cup winning side visited Hampshire yesterday, they were pursuing the art of putting golf balls in holes rather than leather footballs into German nets.

The team behind the unforgettable 4-2 victory at Wembley meets up every year for a round of golf, and this time opted for the splendour of Barton on Sea Golf Club, just west of Lymington.

Apart from the late Bobby Moore, the only absentee was Manchester United great Sir Bobby Charlton, who had the pressing engagement of presenting the European Cup following last night's Champions League final at Old Trafford.

But, after staying at the Rhinefield House Hotel, near Brockenhurst, the night before, the rest of the side assembled at Barton yesterday - Hurst, Ball, George Cohen, Ray Wilson, Jack Charlton, Martin Peters, Roger Hunt and Nobby Stiles.

Goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who was unable to play following a hip operation, was due to join them for lunch.

While the group declined to give interviews, club manager Gary Prince said: "We are delighted and honoured to have the team play here.''