Wolstenholme mourned

Wolstenholme covered the 1996 World Cup final

World Cup winner Martin Peters has led the tributes to football commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, who died on Monday aged 81.

Wolstenholme uttered the most famous line in England's football history as Sir Geoff Hurst scored England's fourth goal in the final seconds of the 1966 World Cup final.

His words will echo will through the generations

Martin Peters

"Some people are on the pitch. They think it's all over. It is now," remarked Wolstenholme.

And Peters - a goalscorer in the match - told BBC Sport Online: "I don't think anyone could have scripted his line at the end of the 1966 final - it was perfect for the moment.

"His words will echo through the generations.

"The 1966 team always had a strong association with Kenneth and we knew he had been ill but it is very sad to hear the news."

Jack Charlton - another member of the victorious 1966 side - said: "I knew Ken long before 1966 and always got on very, very well with him.

"He was a lovely man and I'm very upset at the news."

Alan Ball - also in the 1966 team and a close friend of Wolstenholme - was equally upset at the news.

I certainly admired his work and he will be sadly missed

John Motson

"He had a good innings and was a cracking guy," said Ball.

"We went to the same school but a few years apart.

"He had no preconceived idea of what he was going to say but his words have become of football folklore and they will go down in history."

BBC football commentator John Motson said: "Kenneth Wolstenholme was a lovely man and one of the best commentators in the business.

"I certainly admired his work and he will be sadly missed."

BBC football correspondent Mike Ingham also paid tribute to Wolstenholme's all-round ability.

"He was an inspiring character," said Ingham. "He was the voice of my youth who will always be associated with the 1966 World Cup final.

"But I will also always remember his coverage of the first ever Match of the Day and the great FA Cup and European finals."

Sports Minister Richard Caborn said: "His immortal words are part of England's sporting history.

"He was a true gentleman and an institution in sport.

"The best legacy he could leave is for those words to be spoken again at the end of this year's World Cup final."