HISTORY BECKONS FOR FRANK LAMPARD: HEROES OF WORLD CUP 1966 IS THE KEY

Frank Lampard's ambitions have been moulded by England's World Cup triumph in 1966

THE picture of England World Cup 1966 heroes Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters used to greet an impressionable Frank Lampard every time he walked into West Ham United’s training ground.

It might have faded over the years but the image is still crystal clear in Lampard’s mind as he prepares for another World Cup campaign in the knowledge that the heroes of 44 years ago still stand alone in English football history.

Generation after generation have failed to emulate the class of ’66. No one is more aware of that than England’s new vice-captain, promoted following his big mate Rio Ferdinand’s unfortunate injury.

Lampard said: “I saw that picture when I entered the West Ham training ground every day from an early age. You know the romance of 1966. You know how those players are held in people’s memories, how people look at them and how they respect them.

“When everyone in the England camp see Sir Geoff Hurst now they show ultra respect for him and quite rightly so. There is a certain magic to it all. Hopefully we can get somewhere near that. It would be nice to have my own picture up there one day.”

Germany 2006 ended in tears with another quarter-final exit, with Lampard missing one of the penalties in the shoot-out against Portugal.

It seemed cruel to remind the Chelsea midfielder that he had also failed in his last two spot-kicks in the FA Cup final and during last Sunday’s scruffy 2-1 friendly win against Japan.

Lampard remained unfazed – good news with England’s opening game against the USA looming. “As far as I know I’m still the penalty taker,” he said. “Taking them regularly, it’s a fact of life you can miss occasionally. That miss in the friendly against Japan was a little reminder to myself.

“I will practise them here and go back to basics but I have great confidence in myself and I believe if we get a penalty in this World Cup I will be the one to pick up the ball.

“I don’t think I have missed back-to-back penalties before. Maybe when I was young, but not professionally. It’s not an issue for me. I believe I will score if we get one here.”

It’s also the last chance saloon for the likes of Lampard and Steven Gerrard – the final throes of the so-called golden generation, which was supposed to deliver in the past two World Cups. “Let’s hope that this being the last World Cup for my generation will give it an extra edge,” Lampard added.

“There is nothing better in the game than having experience. If this is the last World Cup then you want to finish in the best way you can. We all know the names of the 1966 World Cup-winning team and there would be nothing better as a group to do the same. It’s been a long time and there has been many a great English player who has never won a World Cup. If you want to go down in history then you have to win something.”

Having been brought up at Upton Park with Ferdinand he wishes the Manchester United defender could have played a part.

Damaged knee ligaments has put an end to those ambitions, with 31-year-old Lampard admitting: “I felt sick in the stomach for him. But now we have to rely on the strength of the group. There can be no excuses.” It was a bad news day all round, with Lampard’s Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba being ruled out of the tournament with a broken arm.

He added: “I also spoke with Didier on Friday. I know we play full pelt in the Premier League but these were freak injuries and nothing to do with the season we have just had.”

Lampard was also quick to round on so-called England fans who have been slating Emile Heskey, who was involved in the tackle with Ferdinand which ended his World Cup.

“I didn’t know until now that some people have been blaming Emile. That is ridiculous,” he said. “There is no blame surrounding anyone.” Lampard knows it is essential to make a good start against the USA in Rustenburg on Saturday.

He admitted: “The first game is always tough. Considering we are playing the top team in the group, apart from us, we know it will be a tight game.” And if England are awarded a penalty, Lampard will take it.

Messrs Moore, Hurst and Peters would be proud.