Bobby Moore A Tribute To A Football Legend.

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Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore was born at 43 Waverly Gardens in Barking, Essex, on the 12th of April 1941, an only child that attended Westbury School and began his football playing for a local Saturday morning team - South Park Boys, who were part of the Ilford League. Bobby was not that tall, and tended to be on the 'chubby' side, but played at centre-half well, without showing any of the talent that was to come later. His first honour was as captain of Barking Primary Schools, winning the 'Crisp Shield', he then progressed to be part of both the Leyton Schools team, and Essex Boys team when he attended Tom Hood High School in nearby Leyton. At this stage he also played cricket and would have succeeded in that field had he chosen to follow it

A local scout - Jack Turner - was told of Bobby Moore's emerging talent by sports master - Tom Russell, and sent in a report that commented that Bobby 'looked fairly useful, but wouldn't set the world on fire....' and Bobby was invited to attend West Ham under Ted Fenton's newly set-up youth policy. Thus began Bobby Moore's allegiance with the Hammers as he experienced professional coaching twice a week under Malcolm Allison - then a senior pro at Upton Park. Still not showing outward signs of anything outstanding, Moore quietly learned his trade, but impressed with his appetite to learn the game. Bobby still lacked the speed of many footballers, and would never be considered 'speedy' but his increasing knowledge of the game enabled him to 'read' the play, positioning himself perfectly as and when required and being fully aware of who was around him, team-mates and opponents alike.

In 1957, Bobby debuted for England Youth vs Holland while playing for West Ham's Metropolitan League side, in the meantime, Hammer's defensive king-pin, Allison had health problems with TB, and this, along with other first team defender injuries, opened the door for Bobby to take part in his first team debut at home vs Manchester United on Monday 8th September 1958. Club captain Noel Cantwell chose Moore as half-back in preference to his experienced but unfit friend Allison and Bobby played his part in the 3 - 2 victory at the age of 17. That evening Bobby Moore wore the No.6 shirt that he would later make his own, and played just four more times that season, gradually becoming the regular choice half-way through the next season, and never looking back after the start of the 1960 - 61 season.

When Ron Greenwood arrived as West Ham's new manager in 1961, he proceeded to build his side 'around' his club captain - Bobby Moore - and a new era of success began at the club. Although never serious title contenders, Hammers won many admirers for their attacking style of play, which was rewarded by their winning of the F.A. Cup in 1964. 48 hours previous to this, Bobby had become the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious sport's journalist's award - 'Footballer Of The Year' at 23.

Prior to this Bobby had debuted for the England team in 1962 in a friendly against Peru, this was following many appearances (including as captain) at Youth and Under 23 level, this debut was followed by a call-up into the 1962 World Cup squad. When Alf Ramsey took over as England manager in 1963 he inherited the talented defender and leader in the heart of his set-up, he handed Bobby Moore the captaincy in May 1963, in only his 12th full England match, an away game against Czechoslovakia (England won 4 - 2).

A year after Hammer's F.A. Cup triumph in 1964, Bobby was back at Wembley to lead his club team in winning the 1965 European Cup Winner's Cup against TSV Munich 1860. a performance that is rated by many as West Ham's greatest ever, as they beat the German side in an enthralling 2 - 0 spectacle. The following year the Hammers were to lose in that competion to another German team - Borussia Dortmund. But for Bobby Moore (and team-mates - Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters), came the climax of their careers as he led England to the 1966 World Cup Final where they beat West Germany 4 - 2.

There were many other great sporting moments for Bobby Moore, as he played for West Ham and England, but none would repeat the success of the mid-sixties, in many matches Moore showed his greatness, against equally great opposition - Pele, probably giving the ultimate accolade by embracing Moore in mutual homage and respect following their countries' fabulous World Cup match of 1970.

Bobby Moore's England career ended in 1973, his 108 caps being a record for an outfield player, and he departed from West Ham United in 1974, joining Fulham. Bobby spent the following few years with Fulham and in the USA's San Antonio Thunder and Seattle Sounders teams. Finally retiring in 1978 with over 1,000 first class matches under his belt. Bobby had also been voted West Ham's Player of the Year for seasons 1960/61, 62/63, 67/68 & 69/70.

Moore tried unsuccessfully at lower league management up till 1986, then in 1990 did well as a local radio football pundit with London's Capital Gold radio station, unfortunately and unknown to all but a very few close to him, cancer had taken a grip on Bobby's life many years earlier, this had been privately treated and held at bay, but then in his final months terminal cancer became an unbeatable foe. Bobby hid the fact that he was fighting his greatest battle from all but his closest family and continued to play golf, swim, and live, outwardly, as normal a life as he could while undergoing treatment, only publicly announcing his illness in early February 1993. Shortly after, just one week after commentating for Capital Gold on England's 6 - 0 win vs San Marino at Wembley, Bobby Moore died on Wednesday 24th February 1993.

At Upton Park an incredible out-pouring of emotion was on display, as soon as news of Bobby's death was known and in the days and weeks following. Thousands of tributes from admirers were placed outside the stadium, as flowers and team colours from all over the country, and indeed the world, were hung on the gates, railings and placed on the pavement approaching the main entrance to West Ham's Boleyn Ground. The England and Hammer's legend had earned the respect of all that saw him play, and that respect was there on display for all to see. He was cremated in a quiet family ceremony at Putney Vale, but his ashes were scattered in Manor Park at the City of London cemetery where they fly an English flag whenever England's football team play a match.

Today at Upton Park the Bobby Moore Stand is part of the memorial to the Hammer's favourite, as are the medals and memorabilia purchased by the club, now displayed in the club museum. In 2003, ten years after his death, 'Champions' a statue depicting Bobby held aloft by other players - raising the World Cup trophy in 1966 - was unveiled by HRH the Duke of York at the nearby 'Boleyn' road junction, greeting visitors as they pass the home of the Hammers. But while there are fans that saw him play in his heyday, and those that can still see him on video, Bobby Moore's greatest testimonial will always be the undeniable class of his football.