Solution to Annus Mirabilis by Phylax

 Annus Mirabilis by Phylax - Solution

The initial grid.

The circled letters, read in normal crossword order, give MCMLVVVI. This equates to 1966, the annus mirabilis in which England won the soccer World Cup. The eight circled letters should be changed to yield (Alan) BALL, (Geoff) HURST, (Martin) PETERS, (Gordon) BANKS, (George) COHEN, (Nobby) STILES, (Bobby) MOORE and (Roger) HUNT. These names should be highlighted, along with the remaining members of the team BOBBY (Charlton), JACK (Charlton) and RAY (Wilson), not forgetting the manager, ALF (Ramsey).

Explanations:

Across: 1 (p)ar(a)MOUR, 6 M + (DO(e) in AQUA), 11 (R(eckon) D(el) A(nd) R(odney) ARGUE)*, 12 ie A after ALFALF, 13 SPILT with I moved just ahead of T, 14 CURT around S(hrink), 15 METES around (ca)R, 16 SEL(d)OM< around ASS, 18 LON(don)ER, 19 BOBB(l)Y, 22 STAR(k)ERS, 24 (RAF A)<, 25 CON around V(illag)E, 26 W A FT, 28 (S PL ENS) around E, 31 WALKE(r)*, 32 MOO + V(illag)E, 33 A(r)TS< + SIMON, 36 PIN in JAG, 38 ((ARE ILL) - (fu)R)*, 39 (cak)E + LITE, 40 RA(c)Y, 41 FREER around (S HEN), 42 (SINK SEE)*, 43 TUR(bo)T + L(ak)E.

 

Down: 2 REP ROOF, 3 MA'LL, 4 ((s)AY I RO(manticize))<, 5 (fe)RULES, 6 MAT TES(t), 7 REST in (A RED), 8 (b)ONUS, 9 L in (m)USTER, 10 A + F(it)TER, 12 EA in (A + NEAR*), 13 S AM B(oys) AS, 17 EYES* around C, 18 (p)LANS around K(ate), 20 BY around ALONE, 21 (CON SIRE) around P, 23 (con)STANCE, 27 LOAT(h)E in FL, 29 NAP< around (O LL), 30 ST IVES, 32 MAI R(ogu)E, 34 (boomer)ANGS T(hreaten), 35 I + (E in DLR), 36 JACKPOT - TOP<, 37 (s)HINT(y).