For our first analysis of a European footballing legend we turn to the late Bobby Moore. The only man who has lifted the World Cup for England was born on the 12th April 1941 in Barking, East London. In September 1958 he made his debut for his local side West Ham United against a Manchester United team still reeling from the Munich air crash several months earlier.
In all he went on to play a further 641 matches for the Hammers. He was without doubt one of the most cultured defenders of all time. With an ability to read the game he always appeared to be at least one move ahead of even the most skilled opponent. During his career he faced all the world’s greatest attackers often managing to tame their undeniable skill.
He made up what he lacked in pace or height with his instinctive positioning and calmness under pressure. In fact his general persona, both on and off the pitch, marked him out as a natural leader. He made his England debut in 1962 in a 4-0 friendly win over Peru. He went on to gain an incredible 108 caps for his country, many as captain.
In his first international year he found himself a surprise late addition to the England World Cup squad that travelled to Chile. He remained in the first team until England’s defeat to the eventual winners Brazil. On May 29th 1963 Bobby Moore captained his country for the first time at the age of 22. In that first game England beat the old Czechoslovakia 4-2. He made the captaincy his own in 1964.
The timing proved to be perfect, not only for Bobby but for his country. In 1964 he guided his club West Ham United to an F.A. Cup final win over Preston North End 3-2 at Wembley Stadium — which could easily be named after him, given his contribution to its legend.
As a result of their cup win West Ham competed in the following years European Cup Winners Cup. He led them to the final where they defeated 1860 Munich 2-0 winning their first European tournament. The final just happened to be held that year at Wembley.
The following year’s World Cup was played in England with the final scheduled at Wembley. If ever there was an omen for a pivotal moment for man and country, this was it. After a slow start, manager Sir Alf Ramsey settled on a side built around the defence and leadership of Bobby Moore.
Article comments
1 - Douglas Mays
YES! Bobby Moore (had a stint with the Sounders). I remember learning of and following his skills as I was a youth player in the late 60s in this neck of the woods. A huge influx of British aeronautical engineers to our area for work at Boeing let us kids know about Bobby Moore.
You menion Geoff Hurst! a long time Sounder! Gordon Banks, Rodney Marsh, George Best. A good list of names!
Anyway, Bobby was a true great. and a very solid defender.
best,
DM
2 - Dr Dreadful
Douglas,
If Bobby Moore were alive today, he'd be telling you to put 'http://' in front of your website address in the URL box before you post your next comment.
3 - Douglas Mays
Dr., here is how retarded I am on the computer...I am just trying to navigate myself back to my main edit page to fix the damn thing. You would be entertained by the URL...
Dude, walk this computer moron thru this. I know it is completely simple. What the hell links get clicked?...
4 - Dr Dreadful
It's quite simple, Douglas. Next time you post a comment, before you click on the Publish button, look at the information in the little boxes situated directly above where you write your comment, and below the brown bit with the admonition against personal attacks.
The first one, which is headed 'Name:' is self-explanatory. Underneath that is a box headed 'URL:', in which you type the web address of your own site (in your case, your Myspace page) or any site you may care to link to. It is to this box that I would like you to turn your attention.
The problem with yours is that you have left out the 'http://' component from the beginning of your web address. Which means that anyone trying to click on the little blue thing that says '[URL]' next to your name at the top of your published comment will just end up on a dud page.
The fix is as easy as pie. All you have to do is type the 'http://' in at the front before you hit Publish. You only have to do it just the one time, and your browser will remember it.
5 - Douglas Mays
Oh, that is all. Shoot, here I am ging to the home page and all!!! Geez... Sometimes it is right in front of me....
6 - Dr Dreadful
Congratulations, Douglas - the link now works.
...Although the message I get on my screen says you've deleted your Myspace page. However, that's your problem, not mine!
7 - Douglas Mays
ugh....
8 - Dr Dreadful
There you go...
:-)
9 - Douglas Mays
Oh man, this damn URL thing right above the comments.... And I thought it was something deep in the archives of my Blogcritics bio and other original settings.
computer spaz douchebag...
OK< BACK TO FOOTBALL!!! thanks for your help of a 'special needs' blogger....
DM
10 - alessandro
I love reading about English legends from the 50s and 60s.
11 - Douglas Mays
back to soccer!!!
Bobby Moore, had a stint in the USA with Sounders. the new SOUNDERS FC just hired Sigi Schmid as head coach. A new MLS powerhouse on it's way!
Had to use Bobby Moore as a route to weasel in a comment about my team. Great player, great team...
futbol,
DM
12 - Jeff
Well weasled Douglas !
Will check out the Sounders webpage if I can find it - be interested to see how your season shapes up !
please keep the comments coming
Jeff