Latest news with #BobbyMooreFund
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Make Bobby a Knight! English football joins the campaign to honour icon Moore
A host of big names are supporting the call for England legend Bobby Moore, who captained the 1966 World Cup-winning side, to receive a posthumous knighthood. The iconic Moore died in 1993 from cancer and was tragically never knighted. He made his debut for the Three Lions in 1962 and was capped 108 times during his 11-year international career, in which he famously steered his country to glory. West Ham great Moore is widely considered to be one of the game's greatest ever defenders, commended for his 'immaculate' behaviour on and off the pitch. Sir David Beckham and Sir Geoff Hurst are among those to have asked for Moore to be properly recognised for his services to football and to charity. Here, the great and the good of English football backs Mail Sport's campaign to honour an icon... STUART PEARCE ENGLAND AND NOTTINGHAM FOREST When I was growing up, if there was one iconic figure from the generation that preceded mine it would have to be Bobby Moore. I find it quite incredible that he wasn't knighted and if there is anyone more deserving of that honour, I don't know who it is. I would also like to commend Stephanie Moore for all the work she has done for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research, which has raised over £31 million - that in itself is an incredible total. TONY COTTEE ENGLAND AND WEST HAM, EVERTON Bobby Moore has always been my hero and his service to football and the legacy of the charity in his name should be honoured immediately. TONY GALE WEST HAM Bobby Moore was my hero. I was lucky enough to have worn the Number 6 shirt at the two clubs that Bobby played for - West Ham and Fulham. I then followed him in my broadcasting career at Capital Gold alongside Jonathan Pearce. It was an honour to have known him. He should also be recognised with an honour himself - a knighthood. Let's all treasure and remember the greatest of all defenders and World Cup-winning captain. TERRY BUTCHER ENGLAND AND ARSENAL Bobby was my hero, and that's why I always tried to wear the Number 6 shirt. A true gentleman and a brilliant defender. JOE COLE ENGLAND AND WEST HAM Having come through at West Ham, Bobby was held up as an example of how a footballer and human being should be. Class, leader, noble and role model. ALAN SMITH ENGLAND AND ARSENAL Bobby Moore was a childhood hero of mine. What a player - and what an achievement in leading England to their 1966 World Cup triumph. He should be recognised as a national icon. LES FERDINAND ENGLAND AND QPR Bobby Moore was the first and only England captain to lift the World Cup, still the nation's only major football trophy. This should never be forgotten. He was inspirational to all who had the opportunity to wear the Three Lions on their shirt. LEE DIXON ENGLAND AND ARSENAL Bobby made the art of defending look easy. He made it cool to be a defender. The relationship he had with Pele, arguably the best player to ever play the game, says it all. The great Pele had the ultimate respect for England's captain. Simply the best! IAN WRIGHT OBE ENGLAND AND ARSENAL Bobby was the epitome of grace, leadership and sporting excellence - a true gentleman of the game. His calm presence at the back, impeccable timing and dignified conduct on and off the pitch made him a national hero and a global ambassador for the sport. A knighthood for Bobby Moore isn't just deserved - it's long overdue. He stands as a timeless symbol of what football can be at its very best. DAVID SEAMAN ENGLAND AND ARSENAL Bobby Moore was the epitome of strength and leadership both on and off the field, at club level, at national level and on an international stage. He was a true giant of the game and a national hero, but most importantly, we will always remember that everything he achieved was done with a smile on his face. MIKE SUMMERBEE ENGLAND AND MANCHESTER CITY Bobby was a very good friend of mine and I knew him better than most. I didn't call him Bobby, I called him Robert because that was his name. He was unique in every way. A great captain, great man and a great friend. I was in the shirt-making business with him and the only reason I appeared in the film Escape to Victory was because he asked me, 'Do you fancy being an actor?' He was one of the nicest people you could ever meet and it shouldn't be a difficult task to get Bobby Moore a knighthood.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Sir David Beckham joins Mail Sport in calling for England's greatest World Cup captain Bobby Moore to be given honour he richly deserves
Sir David Beckham today leads the star names calling for 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore to be given a posthumous knighthood. Beckham, the most recent member of the football family to be knighted, insisted it was only right for Moore to be recognised for his amazing contribution to the game. 'Bobby led his England team to the height of sporting achievement when they won the World Cup,' he said. 'He was a giant of a man, an incredible leader and one of the finest players our country has produced. 'I am delighted to join so many other great names to support calls for his contribution to be recognised with a knighthood.' Sir Geoff Hurst, England's hat-trick hero from the final, who received a knighthood in 1998 for services to football, agreed it was only fair his late friend and former team-mate was properly recognised for his significant contribution to football and to charity. Ex-West Ham skipper Moore is considered one of the game's greatest defenders, commended for his 'immaculate' behaviour on and off the pitch. More than £30million has been raised for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, set up by his widow, Stephanie, after his death from the disease in 1993 aged just 51, generating vital funds and increasing public awareness. Now star names have backed a petition calling on the Government to find a way of posthumously marking Moore's significant achievements — amid claims he was 'let down by the authorities' at the time. Sir Geoff told Mail Sport: 'If any of the two of us deserved a knighthood it would be the captain of the team. Yes, I scored the goals, but the captain of the great sides is always the significant figure. 'You could argue he should get two knighthoods, one for football and one for his phenomenal charity efforts. I can't think of anybody more deserving of a knighthood in football than Mooro.' Sir Geoff added: 'The treatment he received at the end of his career by the hierarchy was abysmal. He should have been looked after, put in a senior role within English football.' Former Manchester United and England skipper Bryan Robson said it was 'wrong' Moore never received a knighthood. 'Bobby never got the recognition he deserved for being the captain of the team that won the World Cup,' he added. 'Other players got a knighthood but I always thought Bobby deserved one. He was a gentleman and I'm all for supporting this campaign.' Former England midfielder Frank Lampard said: 'I grew up with the stories of the great Bobby Moore being immaculate as a player and person. He and the '66 boys were a huge inspiration to me.' And former manager Harry Redknapp, who played alongside Moore at the Hammers, said: 'He was a fantastic role model, a true gentleman and most of all the greatest ever England captain. He was a special person and a great pal. It is an injustice he has not been honoured with a knighthood which he truly deserved.' The campaign has also been backed by huge names from outside of football. Mail Sport's Sir Clive Woodward, who managed England's 2003 Rugby World Cup win, said: 'He (Moore) served as the example of what I expected from my captains. That he was never knighted is one of the most egregious oversights. 'It is long overdue time to right that wrong for a gentleman who was class on and off the pitch.' Former Football Focus host Dan Walker added: 'There is a reason "Sir Bobby" rolls off the tongue and that's because the vast majority of people think he is one already or believe he should be. 'The lack of a knighthood might be a glaring anomaly but the good news is it's really easy to remedy. Arise Sir Bobby.' Rules dictate knighthood nominations must be scrutinised by the Honours Committee before recommendations are made to the Prime Minister, who then advises the Monarch. Knighthoods die with the recipient and cannot be granted posthumously. However, author Martin Amis received a backdated award shortly after his death as the wheels were already in motion to grant him an honour before he died. It has prompted calls for the creation of a unique honour or equivalent award to recognise Moore. Graham Nickless, spokesman for the Honour Bobby Moore campaign, who helped set up the petition, said: 'Having watched Bobby lead England to World Cup victory on a black-and-white telly in 1966, I am extremely proud to be playing a small part in trying to get our captain the highest honour this country can give him — and about time, too. 'I believe this is the last chance we will have to right a wrong and I am confident the British public will want to support a petition that will strike home a powerful message to the FA hierarchy and parliamentarians alike.' London-born Moore made his Three Lions debut in 1962 and was capped 108 times during an 11-year international career. He played much of his club football at West Ham before signing for Fulham. He captained the Hammers to the 1964 FA Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup the following year. Moore was known for wearing the No6 jersey, and received an OBE in 1967.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Make Bobby Moore a Knight! Bowel cancer survivors join the masses as campaign to honour England's World Cup-winning captain gains momentum
Bowel cancer survivors have backed calls to honour England football legend Bobby Moore, after using his name to raise tens of millions for charity. The former West Ham and Fulham defender, who captained the Three Lions to the 1966 World Cup victory over West Germany at Wembley, died with cancer in 1993, aged just 51. But the charity fund which bears his name has generated more than £31 million for Cancer Research UK, helping spread awareness, support those with the disease and pay for treatment. Former cancer patients who have been supported by the Bobby Moore Fund today joined the calls from household names across football, sport and entertainment in urging the Government to create a new posthumous knighthood in tribute to the east Londoner's significant contribution to life, both on and off the field. Marcus Hitchens, whose footballer father Gerry Hitchens played alongside a young Bobby for England in the early 1960s, said: 'I remember my father saying what a great person he was, even as a young footballer, my father thought very highly of Bobby, he commanded respect from everyone, including the more seasoned professionals with a lot more years in the game. 'Sadly I think he was let down a bit by the authorities - he wasn't looked after when he left the game, he didn't have the opportunities that some former footballers do when they retire. 'So I think it's the right time to change that now, and give him in death the recognition he sadly failed to get - but completely deserved - during his lifetime.' Mr Hitchens, a sales manager from Carmel, Holywell in north east Wales, said the fund has given him the 'platform' to spread the message about bowel cancer after being diagnosed with it himself as a young man. Mr Hitchens, 66, said: 'Sometimes people are a bit embarrassed about bowel cancer but that is something the fund, in Bobby's name, has been so successful at trying to change over the years. 'It's not for everyone standing up in a room full of people and talking about your poo, but I felt comfortable doing that because I know what difference it makes spreading awareness of bowel cancer, and the Bobby Moore Fund has given me the platform to do that and hopefully reach as many men as possible.' A petition to create a posthumous award for Bobby has now passed 174 signatures, and has been supported by the likes of 1966 hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst, former England captains Bryan Robson and Terry Butcher, and Three Lions regulars including Frank Lampard, Stuart Pearce and Les Ferdinand. Fellow bowel cancer survivor Matt Black said the charity shone a light on an unglamorous disease by using Bobby's name to target men who might not otherwise pay attention to symptoms or get checked out. The 60-year-old property developer from London said: 'The Bobby Moore Fund has given me a platform and a voice. 'Post my operation I was very keen to talk about my situation, how I got through it, what are the signs to look out for, and I became incredibly passionate about that. 'Until 'Bowel Babe' Dame Deborah James came to prominence a few years ago, there was no one really advocating the issues around bowel cancer, about cancer research. 'It wasn't linked to an individual and the Bobby Moore Fund drove that force really hard for last 30 years. 'Middle aged blokes especially don't talk about it, yet Bobby has turned tragedy into something positive, given recognition through sport and through football to the awareness and the issues and the concerns surrounding bowel cancer. 'By linking it with sports, as he has done, it has made his reach beyond what you would normally expect.' He added: 'It is right that he is recognised for this fantastic dedication to saving lives.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Make Bobby Moore a Knight! Football icons unite in campaign to honour former England captain with posthumous knighthood
Sir Geoff Hurst leads the star names calling for 1966 World Cup captain Bobby Moore to be given a posthumous knighthood. Hat-trick hero Sir Geoff, who received a knighthood in 1998 for services to football, said it was only fair that his late friend and former teammate was properly recognised for his significant contribution to the sport and to charity. Former West Ham skipper Moore is widely considered one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game, commended for his 'immaculate' behaviour on and off the pitch. More than £30million has been raised for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK set up by his widow Stephanie after his death from the disease in 1993 aged just 51, generating vital cash for bowel cancer research and increasing public awareness. Now star names from football, sport and entertainment have backed a petition calling on the Government to find a way of posthumously marking Moore's significant achievements – amid claims he was 'let down by the authorities' at the time. Sir Geoff, the first man to score three goals in the World Cup final as England defeated West Germany 4-2 at Wembley, told the Daily Mail: 'If any of the two of us deserved a knighthood it would be the captain of the team. 'Yes, I scored the goals, but I would argue that the captain of the great sides is always the significant figure. 'And forget about the football for one second, you could argue he should get two knighthoods, one for football and for his phenomenal charity efforts. 'I can't think of anybody more deserving of a knighthood in football. I can't pick anybody more deserving of recognition than Mooro.' Sir Geoff added: 'The treatment he received at the end of his career by the hierarchy and his lack of recognition was nothing short of abysmal. 'He should have been looked after, put in a senior role within English football.' Former Manchester United skipper Bryan Robson, who also captained England during the 1980s, said it was 'wrong' that Moore never received a knighthood. 'Bobby never got the recognition he deserved for being the captain of the England team that won the World Cup,' he said. 'A few other players got a Knighthood but I always thought Bobby deserved one. 'Bobby was a gentleman and I am all for supporting this campaign.' Ex-England midfielder Frank Lampard, who starred for Chelsea, West Ham and Manchester City during the Premier League era, added: 'I grew up with the stories of the great Bobby Moore being immaculate as a player and a person, England's greatest ever captain, he and the '66 boys were a huge inspiration to me and every England player that has worn the shirt since.' And former manager Harry Redknapp, who played alongside Moore at the Hammers, said: 'He was a fantastic role model, a true gentleman and most of all the greatest ever England captain. 'He was a special person and a great pal. It is an injustice that he had not been honoured with a knighthood which he truly deserved.' The campaign has also been backed by huge names from outside of football. Sir Clive Woodward, who managed England's 2003 Rugby World Cup win, said: 'He (Moore) served as the example of all I expected of captains of all the teams I have been involved with. 'That he was never knighted is one of the most egregious oversights in any sport. 'It is long overdue time to right that wrong for a gentleman who was absolute class on and off the pitch.' Broadcaster and former BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker added: 'There is a reason "Sir Bobby Moore" rolls off the tongue and that's because the vast majority of people think that he is one already or firmly believe that he should be. 'The lack of a knighthood might be a glaring anomaly but the good news is, it's really easy to remedy. Arise Sir Bobby.' Current rules dictate knighthood nominations must be scrutinised by the Honours Committee before recommendations are made to the Prime Minister, who then advises the Monarch. Knighthoods die with the recipient and cannot be granted posthumously. However, there is some precedent with author Martin Amis receiving a backdated award shortly after his death as the wheels were already in motion to grant him an honour before he died. It has prompted calls for the creation of a unique honour or equivalent award to recognise Moore. Graham Nickless, spokesman for the Honour Bobby Moore campaign, who helped set up the petition, said: 'Having watched Bobby Moore lead England to World Cup victory on a black and white telly in 1966 I am extremely proud to be playing a small part, nearly 60 years later, in trying to get our captain the highest honour this country can give him - and about time too. 'I honestly believe this is the last chance we will have to right a wrong and I am confident that the British public will want to support a petition that will strike home a powerful message to the FA hierarchy and parliamentarians alike.' Moore made his Three Lions debut in 1962 and was capped 108 times during an 11-year international career. The London-born defender played much of his club football at West Ham, where he made more than 500 league appearances between 1958 and 1974, before signing for Fulham. He captained the Hammers to the 1964 FA Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup the following year. Moore was known for wearing the number six jersey, and received an OBE in 1967.
