As we are all very aware by now, the greatest West Ham United captain’s 20th anniversary of his death is today. As one of the younger generations of Hammers, being just 17, I obviously never saw Bobby Moore play, but the legacy of his work and his name lives on, and this is a legacy that I would like to reflect on and try and show the population of West Ham fans the impact that Bobby has made on this generation.
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From the very early part of my life I was a West Ham United fan, and from the age of 6, I was fortunate enough to own a season ticket. Escorted by my Father and Uncle to football every week, you very quickly learn about one of the biggest draws to being a West Ham United fan, the history of the club. I cannot describe to you how good a player Bobby was, or what kind of player he was because I obviously never saw him play, I wasn’t even alive when Moore died. Though the legacy built around him gave an impression to me of the player he was.
Bobby Moore seems to epitomise, maybe even personify West Ham United. Moore was born and raised in Barking, just a stone throw from Upton Park; he was an East End boy through and through. Bobby seemed respectful and a true representative of the club. This can be seen in the plaudits that he was given through his life and even posthumously. Pele called him an ‘honorable gentleman’ and the moment that sums up Moore in my opinion was as he received the World Cup, he wiped his hand on the banner before greeting the queen. Bobby Moore’s legacy lives upon these factors, that he was the true ultimate professional, even in death he can still have the same impact that he had during his life, maybe even more of an impact than he would have ever had before his death.
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West Ham United will continue to remember Bobby and this will be seen through the retirement of the number 6 as a squad number. This mark of respect shows the class that bobby showed through his life and further shows the impact of his legacy to the younger generation of West Ham United fans. The respect to give a player that no one shall ever be fit enough to wear the same number as he in the West Ham squad is a quite remarkable respect to give someone. As I previously stated, his legacy will continue.
Bobby Moore died on the 24th February 1993, 20 years ago. The death of this icon in the history of West Ham United will always be remembered and for providing this legacy for fans of West Ham United he will live on in spirit, but it is his reputation as an England player that he’ll be most remembered for. Even though every four years, every Englishman puts them through the heartache of wishing for a repeat of 1966, it has never come again and this shows the legacy that Bobby Moore created. This reputation of ‘England Expects’ continues in his legacy, as without him the legacy that many compatriots live upon wouldn’t be there. Alf Ramsey put it that ‘Without him England would never have won the World cup.’ This legacy lives on, his name draws many in and the reputation that the charity set up in his name has created.
I never saw Bobby Moore play football, and wasn’t alive at a time to see his work for England, though the legacy that he created has proven to be timeless, and this is still a large draw to being a West Ham United fan. To know that you can assimilate yourself with the greatest footballer this country has ever seen.
Viva Bobby Moore.
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