WORLD Cup-winning legend Sir Geoff Hurst rolled back the years to help launch a grassroots sports awards scheme.

Sir Geoff returned to the streets where he kicked his first football in a competitive match to launch the 2011 FA Community Awards.

McDonald’s director of football, West Ham star and 1966 World Cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff went back to the street where he grew up – Greenways in Chelmsford – and paid a visit to his old club, Chelmsford City FC, to re-live his grassroots journey and celebrate his own community football heroes, as nominations opened for the awards.

The FA Community Awards aim to recognise and reward people across the country who make a difference to grassroots football in their local community – from coaches and clubs, through to leagues and volunteers – the people who dedicate their time to developing tomorrow’s young talent and help ensure safety and best practice in tens of thousands of clubs throughout the country.

Sir Geoff spent the morning with his first and former club Chelmsford City Youth FC, formerly Chelmsford Boys, where he first played organised football 60 years ago and began the journey which led to him lifting the World Cup in 1966 and becoming the only player to ever score a hat-trick in a World Cup Final.

He also caught up with Chelmsford City Youth FC chairman Gordon Williams and manager Paul Barry and took a tour of the club’s facilities before watching a game and taking part in a Q&A about his career.

Speaking at Chelmsford City Youth FC, Sir Geoff was clear about the importance of grassroots.