Twenty two years ago today the club’s greatest hero – Mooro – passed away. Tragically he was only 51 years old.
Those of us who lived through that era and watched him from the Upton Park terraces were truly blessed – he was unarguably the greatest footballer we have ever – and probably – will ever see.
Many of us barely see a day go by without remembering the man…in my case he was my last true footballing hero.
The 1966 World Cup-winning captain, sadly passed away on this day 22 years ago. He made 646 league and cup appearances for the Hammers, scoring 27 goals.
Born in Barking on 12 April 1941, he made his debut for his local club in a 3-2 win over Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground as a 17-year-old on 8 September 1958. It was the start of a glittering career that is remembered fondly by football fans the world over.
He lifted the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. A year later, he was back at Wembley to complete an unforgettable hat-trick by lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy following England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany.
Fellow Hammers legend Billy Bonds MBE admitted to ClaretandHugh: ” When I arrived from Charlton I was absolutely over awed by him. The feeling never really went away.
He was a hero to me and an icon. He was an unforgettable footballer and man. To have known him was incredible – to have played with him was a fantastic honour.”
Mooro as an immortal – Bob, YOU ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Never forgotten always loved and thats what we mean by the West Ham way,
Just think he would have had to wait 3 or 4 years to make his debut now far to young,
I was blessed as you to watch him from the South Bank and he was part of a great team brilliant football do diving no abusing the referee proper off side rules bring back the good old days.
Not only the best defender I’ve ever seen, but also a giant of a man too. Top class. Bonds himself is a giant of a man like Moore and shows it with his respect of Moore.
Actually Hugh, I think we have been blessed to live through the last 50 years of supporting this grand old club. Not just that we watched not only the greatest Hammer of all, but arguably the best defender of all in Bobby. But also to watch other great players in Hurst, Peters, Sir Trevor, Bonzo, Devonshire and following on Cottee, McAvvenie, Alvin and many other great players and characters. Sure there’s been plenty of heartache and disappointment but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
And now we can take part in the next part of the great West Ham adventure in the move to the Olympic Stadium and then remember the man who put club in the spotlight and we could say “yep, Bobby Moore the world’s best plays for my team”
Viva Bobby Moore, Viva!