Today in 1993 Bobby Moore died, only aged 51. Captain of England in the one and only time they have won it. Then 3 days later West Ham travelled up to Roker Park for their first game since he passed away. I was at that game, (actually travelled up with some West Ham mates). Never has a minutes silence ever been better observed. RIP Bobby Moore.
1964 he lifted the FA cup, 65 the Cup Winner's Cup, 1966 the World Cup and all at Wembley. He should have been made a football icon but no club or even the England set up took advantage of his abilities. A supreme tackler who could teach today's lot more than they could absorb. The story I liked more than any other was he was probably the only player who stopped a game with a whistle. Ref had gone down with a leg injury of some kind and Bobby took his whistle and blew up.
I'm honoured to say I was their too. I'll never forget stood in the Fullwell, all I could hear was late comers climbing the steps, the occasional Seagull, cars passing outside and blokes sobbing. An incredibly moving experience and yes, I was crying with the best of them. I'd love to hear from a West Ham fan who was there that most memorable Roker day.
I can't believe it was 21 years ago. Seems like just yesterday. A true gentleman of the game. Not the fittest, not the fastest, not the strongest, just the smartest. His personal duel against Pele in 1970 was one of England's greatest performance's ever.
Here's what a lad sent me, he loved his time in Sunderland. Paul never forget that Roker Park immaculate minutes silence still have the programme Freezing cold Snow and a great night on the town
Remember seeing him in 86 at roker park in the 20th anniversary world cup game, George Cohen with a belly like a whale lasted 10 mins as did a few more but Bobby Moore looked the same, intercepting and spreading the play, even persuaded a mag mate to come, bobby looked fantastic even then, like he,d never stopped playing
