Pele called Bobby Moore simply the greatest defender in the world and regards the shirt Bobby wore against him in the 1970 World Cup finals in Mexico as being his prized possession. Bobby won 108 caps for England and equalled Billy Wright's record of captaining England in 90 matches. At 23, he became the youngest ever captain of England when he led them out against Czechoslovakia in May 1963 and went on to become the only Englishman to lift the World Cup.

Bobby was a Hammer born and bred and one who, despite fame and fortune, remained loyal to the club for 15 years. He made his West Ham debut in 1958 as a seventeen year old, replacing his pal Malcolm Allison, whose career was cut short by tuberculosis. The Hammers won 3-2 against Manchester United and they went to the top of the table in their first season back in the First Division. Despite having represented England at Youth level (a then record 18 appearances), it was not until 1961 that he managed to claim a regular place in Hammers first team. England Under-23 recognition followed and in 1962 he succeeded Bobby Robson in the England team in a World Cup warm-up game against Peru. He missed only 10 internationals in the next ten years. He the took over from Jimmy Armfield as captain in 1963 -1964. 

In 1964 Bobby was elected Footballer of the Year while leading West Ham to their first ever FA Cup Final victory in the 3-2 defeat of Preston North End. Bobby cited the semi final victory against cup holders Manchester United as a big factor in winning the award. That was the start of three amazing cup successes at Wembley. May 1965 saw Bobby lifting the European Cup Winners Cup for West Ham and the following year he became the first and so far only England captain to hold aloft the World Cup following the 4-2 defeat of West Germany. 

Bobby was a great ambassador and a perfect gentleman, never better illustrated than when he recalled climbing the famous Wembley steps to accept the World Cup from the Queen and admitted the most important thing on his mind at that time was to wipe the mud from his hands, so as not to make her gloves dirty. A fitting personal tribute to Moore after that game was his selection as the 1966 World Cup Finals Player of Players. The following year he was awarded the OBE for his services to English football.

If 1966 was a high then 1970 was a low. Bobby was arrested in Bogotá, Colombia on suspicion of theft. The fabricated charges were thankfully dropped and he went on to have a superb tournament, including a brilliant tackle on Pele. 

Bobby continued his career at West Ham, despite several lucrative offers from other so-called bigger clubs, until he eventually moved across London to Fulham in March 1974. His vast experience played a vital role in taking the Craven Cottage club, a second division outfit at the time, to Wembley in 1975 for an FA Cup Final against, of all opponents, West Ham - a game the Hammers won 2-0. He retired from professional football in England in 1977.

Bobby's reading of the game bordered on the telepathic, his tackling was immaculate and he was always in the right place at the right time. His distribution was intelligent and clinical and at the heart of England's defence he won a massive 108 caps for his country which was a record until Peter Shilton overtook it in 1989.

He was not only a gifted footballer, but a useful cricketer, too. In fact he was offered a position with Essex County Cricket Club, but preferred to dedicate himself to football.  Another insight into the character of Bobby Moore happened in 1970 when a whacked attempted clearance unfortunately hit the referee on the head and knocked him out!  Ever quick to take control of a situation, Bobby picked up the referees whistle and blew it to stop play! 

Sadly he died in 1993 only nine days after revealing to the world that he had cancer.

Such achievements for a man who was never sent off, with perfect 'Roy of the Rovers' credentials we welcome the original Captain Marvel to the Roy of the Rovers Hall of Fame.