WHZ View: 28 years on – Bobby Moore, West Ham and England icon
Today is the 28th anniversary of West Ham and England icon Bobby Moore’s passing, aged just 51.
The centre-half, who led his country and the Hammers to unprecedented success, sadly passed away on February 24, 1993 after a battle with bowel cancer.
Born in Barking, Moore spent 14 seasons playing for West Ham. He made his debut in a home match with Manchester United, on September 8, 1958. He went on to make a total of 647 appearances and scored 27 goals in claret and blue.
Whilst under his captainship, the Hammers won the FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964 and 1965. The following year, Moore did what no other Englishman has ever done, lift the World Cup.
In total, he made 108 caps for England, scoring two goals and featuring at three major competitions.
He had a fantastic career, also spending three years with Fulham, before going to America. There, he played for San Antonio Thunder and the Seattle Sounders.
His legend lives on
Moore’s legendary status at West Ham was confirmed whilst he was a player, but the club took steps to ensure his legacy lives on.
In 2008, his iconic number six shirt was retired by the club, at the time worn by fellow English centre half Matthew Upson. West Ham also named the then-newly-completed South Bank ‘The Bobby Moore Stand’ in his honour. Since the move to the London Stadium, the club have named the north stand after him, also.
At their old home, West Ham had the Champions Statue located on Barking Road right next to Upton Park. On it, there is an inscription by Jeff Powell, a journalist who was a close friend of Moore, which is very fitting to the person he was:
“Immaculate footballer. Imperial defender. Immortal hero of 1966. First Englishman to raise the World Cup aloft. Favourite son of London’s East End. Finest legend of West Ham United. National Treasure. Master of Wembley. Lord of the game. Captain extraordinary. Gentleman of all time.”
Rest in peace, Bobby.
In other West Ham news, Andy Townsend claims the Hammers don’t miss their fans as much as other clubs.