But the belief of new new manager Ron Greenwood in his natural ability and strength saw Sir Geoff switched to a new role as a centre-forward. The move saw him flourish almost immediately.
Thirteen goals followed in 27 First Division games in the 1962/63 season. Hurst had found his role, as 25 strikes in all competitions the next campaign, 1963/64, confirmed.
That season saw West Ham win their first piece of major silverware, the FA Cup, and Sir Geoff played a crucial role in bringing the trophy from Wembley Stadium to the Boleyn Ground. He started all seven FA ties, scoring seven goals, including a crucial second equaliser in the final against Preston North End, as the Hammers claimed a 3-2 win thanks to Ronnie Boyce's last-gasp header.
The following campaign, Hurst helped West Ham win the European Cup Winners' Cup, but it was the 1965/66 season that Sir Geoff really displayed his prowess in front of goal, netting 40 in 59 competitive games and helping the Irons to reach the League Cup final.
While West Ham would lose to West Bromwich Albion in that final, Sir Geoff would not be denied.
For it was that summer of 1966 that he would become a household name, leading the line for the Three Lions at the 1966 FIFA World Cup finals. Having been on the bench for the group stages, Hurst was named in the starting XI against Argentina in the quarter-finals, where the West Ham man would head home the only goal of the game.