Bobby Moore Tribute: Bernstein admits FA were wrong to snub West Ham legend Moore

Monday, February 25, 2013
10:15 AM

West Ham yesterday held a ceremony outside Upton Park to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Bobby Moore, as Football Association chairman David Bernstein admitted more could have been done for the former England captain after he retired.

Moore, the ex-Hammers defender and England skipper in their triumphant 1966 World Cup campaign, was awarded an OBE but was never given a role within the FA.

The FA had not previously stated in public its regret over its treatment of Moore.

But writing in a column for the Sunday Times, 20 years to the day since Moore died from cancer, Bernstein said they should have utilised his expertise.

“Bobby was the man who led England to our ultimate moment of football glory. He remains an eternal credit to his family, friends and everyone involved with West Ham United,” Bernstein wrote.

“I am aware the Football Association has been criticised over its treatment of Bobby once he retired from football.

“It saddened me that this is the case and while I am not privy to exactly what happened at the time, it is clear to me the organisation could have done more.

“If Bobby were alive today I am sure we would have asked him to be the chief ambassador for the Football Association in its 150th year.

“He was simply one of the nation’s greatest ever footballers.”

West Ham supporters turned out in numbers this morning to pay their respects to Moore at a wreath-laying service by the statue of him and fellow World Cup-winners Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson.

Hammers co-chairman David Gold, who was joined by Peters, Moore’s daughter Roberta and granddaughters Poppy and Ava, told whufc.com: “It was a lovely service and it is an honour for us all to remember Bobby today.

“He was our England World Cup-winning captain, but also more personally for us all here at West Ham, a legend at our club and always will be.

“It was great to see so many West Ham fans turn out in what was bitterly cold weather, but they wanted to pay their respects to a man who we hold very dear at this club.

“Bobby will continue to be remembered at our club. There were many fans here today who are too young to remember him or didn’t see him play.

“I was one of those fans who did see him play and have, like many others, my own special memories of Bobby.

“Greats are almost immortal and he is one of those greats. I am quite sure that Bobby will be continued to be remembered for another century and more.”

Moore, whose clubs after he left West Ham in 1974 included Fulham, won 108 caps during his England career.

After he retired from playing in 1978 he took up managerial roles at Oxford, Eastern AA in Hong Kong and Southend.