On what would’ve been the 80th birthday of England’s legendary World Cup-winning captain, we look back on some of his greatest moments.
Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore was the golden boy from a golden generation of English players who famously led his country to World Cup glory and built a legacy like none other than West Ham.
“My captain, my leader, my right-hand man. He was the spirit and the heartbeat of the team. A cool, calculating footballer I could trust with my life. He was the supreme professional, the best I ever worked with. Without him England would never have won the World Cup.” – Alf Ramsey
Many regarded him as one of the greatest defenders in history, and his legacy still burns brightly even 28 years after his death.
So in honor of what would’ve been Moore’s 80th birthday today, we remember some of the Englishman’s greatest career moments.
FA Cup winner with West Ham
Bobby Moore is widely regarded as West Ham’s greatest player for several reasons.
He spent the bulk of his career with the Hammers, making over 600 appearances between 1958 and 1974, and captained the club for over a decade.
And in 1964, the same year Moore became England’s captain, the defender famously led West Ham to FA Cup glory by beating Preston North End 3-2 in the final at Wembley. He also won the FWA Footballer of the Year.
1964: Bobby Moore descends the famous Wembley steps with the FA Cup in his grasp! #WHU1964 pic.twitter.com/t0DKCuy9LG
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 2, 2014
‘That tackle by Moore’
England’s title defense in the 1970 World Cup sadly ended in a quarter-final loss to West Germany.
But while the Three Lions left Mexico empty-handed, Moore’s superb tackle on Jairzinho is still remembered over 50 years later.
It came in the second group-stage match between Brazil and England. Jairzinho raced towards the goal before Moore made a perfectly timed interception to dispossess the Brazilian cleanly and take the ball out of danger.
Even Pele, one of the greatest footballers in history, was impressed and later swapped shirts with Moore.
ON THIS DAY: It was 44 years ago today that Bobby Moore produced this unforgettable tackle on Jairzinho. pic.twitter.com/jO9aRnyUpV
— West Ham United (@WestHam) June 7, 2014
European glory
Winning the FA Cup is always special, but Moore went one better in 1966.
The iconic skipper led West Ham to a 2-0 win over 1860 Munich in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final, courtesy of two goals from Alan Sealey, for what was the greatest night in the club’s history.
It remains West Ham’s only major European triumph to this day.
ON THIS DAY: Bobby Moore lifts the European Cup Winners' Cup aloft at @wembleystadium exactly 50 years ago! #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/WRIAx3iVsd
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 19, 2015
Winning the World Cup at Wembley in 1966
The most famous moment of Moore’s career has to be the 1966 World Cup, no other achievement can compare.
To this day, Moore remains the only Englishman to lift the World Cup after helping the national team beat West Germany 4-2 in the final at the famous old Wembley on July 1966.
A statue of Moore was made in his honor back in 2007 upon the unveiling of the new Wembley.
Today we remember Bobby Moore, on the 80th anniversary of his birth.
One of the finest defenders ever, and of course England World Cup winning captain, since his death the @BobbyMooreFund has raised over £21m for bowel cancer research.
What a legacy.pic.twitter.com/MFI2jiyeyH
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) April 12, 2021
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