- West Ham United legend Bobby Moore honoured with English Heritage Blue Plaque
- England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain is first footballer to be awarded the honour
- Blue Plaque erected at the great captain's childhood home in Waverley Gardens in Barking
West Ham United and England FIFA World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore OBE has become the first footballer to be honoured with an English Heritage Blue Plaque.
The plaque was unveiled in a ceremony at his childhood home at 43 Waverley Gardens, Barking, where the young Bobby first kicked a football and honed the skills that would make him his country’s finest-ever defender.
Capped 108 times by England, being appointed the Three Lions’ youngest-ever captain aged just 22 years and 47 days, Bobby went on to make 647 appearances for West Ham between 1958 and 1974, lifting the FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup in front of the Claret and Blue Army.
Held in the week which marks the 50th anniversary of Bobby lifting the FIFA World Cup for England, the dedication was led by Greg Dyke, a member of the English Heritage Blue Plaques panel and outgoing chairman of The Football Association (FA), in the presence of nearly 100 of Bobby’s friends and family, and many of those he played alongside during his illustrious career.
The Vice-Chairman said: “We are absolutely delighted that Bobby is being honoured in this fashion. Not only is he a true sporting icon, but, without question, West Ham’s favourite son.
“As custodians of the Club, we have always believed it is our duty and pleasure to honour his memory in every way we can. Carrying on a Boleyn Ground tradition we will soon officially name the new Stadium North Stand in his honour, our Club London hospitality boasts the exquisite BM6 Lounge, a Legends Stone was recently laid in Champions Place commemorating his West Ham and England career and his now retired, No6 shirt hangs proudly above the concourse at our new home and his legacy lives on action too through the fantastic work of the Moore Family Foundation.
“Bobby is the ultimate local boy done good and so it’s particularly poignant that English Heritage should celebrate his life and magnificent career just along the road, at his childhood home in Barking, where it all began for a young Bobby.”
For Roberta, this permanent tribute to her father’s memory is a fitting one.
“I know my father would be truly humbled and deeply touched today,” said his only daughter. “This Blue Plaque is a wonderful tribute in recognition of his achievements for our country in this special year and the high esteem in which he is held.
“This is where it all began – kicking a ball out here in the street with his friends before embarking on an incredible journey which as we all know led him up the steps to collect the World Cup from the Queen at Wembley 50 years ago this week. My sincere gratitude and thanks to English Heritage for bestowing this honour upon my father, I couldn’t be more proud.”
The reception also marked the first public viewing a a three-foot figurative commemorative bronze sculpture of Bobby Moore in action. Roberta Moore commissioned the world renowned British sculptor Georgiana Anstruther to create the sculpture of her father, which will be displayed at Wembley Stadium as part of The FA’s 1966 Exhibition. Six copies of the sculpture have been made available for sale, with all profits going to the Moore Family Foundation. You can find further details here.
Launched by West Ham United in association with Roberta and the Moore family in 2014 at Ripple Primary School in Barking, which Bobby himself attended, The Moore Family Foundation is a registered charity providing life-changing opportunities through football.
Bobby’s home Borough of Barking and Dagenham is one of a number where Foundation learning mentors are assisting thousands of vulnerable young people with literacy, numeracy and attainment in partnership with targeted primary and secondary schools.