Twenty-one years ago today England and West Ham lost their greatest legend in Bobby Moore.
As the only Englishman to lift the World Cup to date, he is held so dear in the hearts of not just West Ham fans, but England fans in general.
His 20 year career was almost like one big highlight as he went from a promising young talent to the best defender in the world, lifting the World Cup for England in 1966 and captaining West Ham to an FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.
He tragically lost his battle with bowel and liver cancer in 1993, aged just 51.
Here’s what some of the biggest names in world football have had to say about him over the years…
“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 him with my life. He was the supreme professional, the best I ever worked with. Without him England would never have won the World Cup.” – Sir Alf Ramsey
“He was my friend as well as the greatest defender I ever played against. The world has lost one of its greatest football players and honourable gentlemen.” – Pele
“Moore was the best defender I have ever seen.” – Sir Alex Ferguson
“Bobby Moore was the best defender in the history of the game.” – Franz Beckenbauer
Below is a gallery of some of the best photos taken of Bobby Moore throughout his career…