ROBERT MOORE Born: 12 April 1941 in Barking (County Essex). Died: 24 February 1993 in London. Nickname: Bobby. Position: Half back, centre back. Caps: England 107 (1962-1973) / 2 goals League Games: England I. Division 543 (1958-1974) / 24 goals England II. Division 124 (1974-1977) / 0 goals European Cup Games: 13 (1964-1966) / 0 goals International Club Cup Games: European Champions’ Cup 0 European Cup Winners’ Cup 13 (1964-1966) / 0 goals Fairs Cup 0 European Super-Cup 0 Domestic Cup Games: FA Cup 55 (1958-1974) / 2 goals European Footballer of the Year: 1964 (19th), 1966 (4th), 1968 (22nd), 1970 (2nd), 1971 (10th), 1972 (7th), 1973 (19th). English Footballer of the Year: 1964. Trophies & Tournaments: World Cup winner: 1966 World Cup participant: 1962, 1966, 1970 European Championship participant: 1968 European Cup Winners’ Cup winner: 1965 European Super-Cup winner: - English Champion: - English runner-up: - English Cup winner: 1964 English Cup finalist: 1975 English League Cup winner: - English League Cup beaten finalist: 1966 Few men can equal the esteem in which the great Bobby Moore was held in England, and no where was that more true than at West Ham United, the club Moore captained and inspired in the most glorious period in their history. Moore started his carer with West Ham against Manchester United on September 8 1958 and soon went on to be a vital part of both West Ham and England. He made his England debut in May 1962 for England against Peru in a 4-0 victory and went on to play in all 4 games of that year’s World Cup which saw England reach the quarter finals before losing to eventual winners Brazil. The next year Moore was made England captain, at the age of just 22. It was a sign of the respect which Moore generated and the way he was viewed by his fellow players and the coaching staff. His first game was a 4-2 victory against Czechoslovakia in Bratislava. In 1964 Moore won his first piece of silverware, an FA cup winners medal after beating Preston 3-2 at Wembley. Moore was also named footballer of the year for the 1963-4 season. The next year Moore was at Wembley again, this time in the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup against 1860 Munich. West Ham won the game 2-0 and Ron Greenwood, later England manager said “This was Bobby Moore’s greatest game. Technical perfection.” High praise indeed and richly deseved given Moore’s achievements. In 1966 Moore and England were to have their finest hour as the game’s inventors were finally given the honour of hosting its most prestigious tournament. England opened against Uruguay in a game that was drawn 0-0 and followed it up with two victories, both 2-0, against Mexico and France. In the quarter finals England were paired with Argentina in a game that will sadly forever be remembered for the antics of the Argentine captain Rattin. England were to emerge victorious but the game itself left a sour taste, and matters were not improved by Alf Ramsay preventing his players swapping shirts. Up until this stage England were yet to concede a goal, due in no small part to the majestic defending of Moore. The semi-finals were to end that with a goal from the “Black Panther”, Eusebio, but England marched on thanks to goals from Bobby Charlton. So England prepared for the biggest day in their sporting history, and a confrontation with W Germany, with the war still in the minds of all parties. Haller put the Germans ahead after 12 minutes before Hurst pulled one back for the home side. Late in the second half, Martin Peters put England ahead and it was a lead that they held until the 90th minute when West Germany levelled through a controversial Weber free-kick. Going into extra-time Alf Ramsay uttered the immortal words “you’ve beaten them once, now go out and do it again”. In such circumstances no team could ask for a better leader than Moore. With his leadership (and two not insignificant goals from Hurst) England were able to see off the Germans and record a famous 4-2 victory on home soil. The inch perfect pass of Moore’s to release Hurst is often forgotten when the moment of victory is remembered. 3 Cup finals at Wembley in 3 years for Moore, and the result was 3 victories. Despite possessing in Moore arguably the world’s finest defender, West Ham were unable to challenge for titles in the late 1960s and this meant that England duty offered Moore only real hope of tasting fresh glory. In 1970 England set off to defend their World Cup title with high hopes, and in the belief that this squad was even better than that which had won the trophy four years earlier. Yet the trip entered controversy before it had even begun as Moore was sensationally arrested in Bogota on charges of stealing an emerald bracelet worth £600. The case against England’s most trusted and respected player was later proved to be false, and the charges thrown out, but it was less than ideal preparation for such an important tournament in such unfamiliar climes. England started their defence with a 1-0 victory over Romania before facing Brazil in their second game. It put together the winners of the previous three World Cups, and for many was not just the final that should have been, but a meeting between the two nations finest ever sides. Brazil attacked relentlessly in the first half and were unlucky to see Gordon Banks pull off a wonder save from Pele. But in the second half England attempted to hit back and came close when Lee hit the bar, and Jeff Astle missed a glorious chance. Jairzinho attempted to break the deadlock but was stopped by Moore with an inch-perfect tackle. In the end the deadlock was broken by the genius of Pele, as he nodded down a cushion header for Jairzinho to poke the ball home. The game ended with yet another iconic image as Moore swapped shirts with Pele. Thus England needed a result against Czechoslovakia in their final game in order to avoid going home early, and they were not to fail as they brushed them aside 1-0. In the quarter finals England were drawn against W Germany, seeking revenge for their defeat in the WC final 4 years earlier. England got off to a great start and were soon 2-0 up with goals from Mullery and Peters. However, then Ramsay, thinking Engalnd had done enough to get through, took off Peters and Bobby Charlton and put on Norman Hunter and Colin Bell. England let the Germans back into the game and eventually crashed out in extra-time thanks to a close range Gerd Muller goal. On his return from the World Cup Moore was involved in a relegation battle at West Ham, and eventually finished 3rd from bottom. The next season was another of mediocrity for West Ham but it did see an exciting League Cup run. West Ham made it to the semi-finals where they faced Stoke, and after a 0-0 first tie the game went to a replay. When West Ham goalie Bobby Ferguson was left concussed, Moore had to take over in goal. Amazingly Moore even managed to save a penalty, but could not keep out the rebound, and West Ham eventually went out 3-2. England were hopeful of winning the European Championship in 1972, and Alf Ramsay was sure that they would progress when facing the W Germans (again!) in the quarter finals. However, England were beaten 3-1 at Wembley and failed to reverse the score in the away leg. In 1972-3 Moore won his 100th cap in a 5-0 demolition of Scotland at Hampden Park. It proved to be England’s biggest win against the auld enemy since 1888, and was a fitting game for such a momentous occasion. In the summer of 1973 England faced Poland in a vital WC qualifier in Chorzox, but Moore did not enjoy the best of times as he was caught in possession in the build up to a Polish goal. Moore was widely pilloried in the press for his error, as his international career was cut to an end. He played just 3 more times for England and missed the return fixture at Wembley which saw England fail to qualify. Moore moved across London from West Ham to Fulham in March 1974 for a fee of £25,000 and the following year faced his old side in an FA Cup final. It must have been a game of mixed emotions for Moore, but he ended on the losing side as Fulham went down 2-0. Moore later moved to the NASL where he played or the Seattle Sounders and the San Antonio Thunder, before returning to England for an unsuccessful management career. In 1993 he announced to the world that he was suffering with bowel cancer and died soon after at the age of just 51. He was knighted posthumously in 1998. Despite his early demise Bobby Moore will always live on in the hearts and minds of British football fans as the man who brought home England’s first ever WC victory. What is more, he will be remembered for his grace, dignity and spirit of fair play that marked him out as an ambassador for the game, not just in England, but throughout the world. Moore’s legacy endures today as one of football’s greatest ever players and one of its greatest ever men. League Statistics per Season Season - Club - Games – Goals - [Caps / Goals] 1958/59 West Ham United..................03 / 00 1959/60 West Ham United..................13 / 00 1960/61 West Ham United..................38 / 01 1961/62 West Ham United..................41 / 03 [ 5 / 0 ] 1962/63 West Ham United..................41 / 03 [ 9 / 0 ] 1963/64 West Ham United..................37 / 02 [ 9 / 0 ] 1964/65 West Ham United..................28 / 01 [ 7 / 0 ] 1965/66 West Ham United..................37 / 00 [16 / 2] 1966/67 West Ham United..................40 / 02 [ 6 / 0 ] 1967/68 West Ham United..................40 / 04 [10 / 0] 1968/69 West Ham United..................41 / 02 [ 9 / 0 ] 1969/70 West Ham United..................40 / 00 [12 / 0] 1970/71 West Ham United..................40 / 02 [ 5 / 0 ] 1971/72 West Ham United..................40 / 01 [ 7 / 0 ] 1972/73 West Ham United..................42 / 03 [11 / 0] 1973/74 West Ham United..................22 / 00 [ 1 / 0 ] 1974/75 Fulham FC............................II. Division 1974/75 Fulham FC............................II. Division 1975/76 Fulham FC............................II. Division 1976 ....San Antonio Thunder..............24 / 01 1976/77 Fulham FC............................II. Division 1977/78 Herning Fremad (Denmark)......II. Division 1978 ....Seattle Sounders....................08 / 00 European Cup games Season - Club - Games – Goals 1964/65 West Ham United.......EC II.......07 / 00 1965/66 West Ham United.......EC II.......06 / 00
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