West Ham unveil statue of legends Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst as David Moyes and Co look to follow in their footsteps by winning the Europa League
- West Ham have unveiled a statue of three of their 1965 European champions
- Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst have been immortalised in bronze
- David Moyes, Declan Rice and Mark Noble were both present at the unveiling
- Hurst called on Moyes and his team to win the Europa League this season
West Ham’s three favourite sons Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters have been immortalised in bronze with the club unveiling their 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup statue outside of the London Stadium on Wednesday.
Declan Rice, Mark Noble and manager David Moyes were in attendance to see the sculpture’s reveal, along with Hurst, Moore’s daughter Roberta and Peters’ widow Kathy.
West Ham director Karren Brady delivered a speech in which she also revealed that Peters had been laid to rest in the foundations of the statue, adding this is a ‘permanent, glorious reminder of our very best’.
West Ham unveiled statue of 1965 European champions Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters
David Moyes, Mark Noble and Declan Rice were in attendance at the unveiling on Wednesday
Supporters will get to see the lifesize-and-a-quarter statue for the first time on Thursday evening, when West Ham host Rapid Vienna in their Europa League Group H fixture.
The detail in the statue was extraordinary. Hurst revealed how, during multiple consultations with sculptors, they even ensured Peters was wearing shinpads while he and Moore weren’t, because that was the norm when they were playing.
With West Ham in the Europa League on Thursday, Hurst said: ‘The timing is absolutely fantastic. It’s quite emotion.’
Turning to Rice, Noble and Moyes, who were sat in the front row, he added: ‘Win it like we did. Do it again boys. Do it again.’
Hurst (C) called on Moyes and his players to follow in their footsteps by winning Europa League
West Ham director Karren Brady delivered a speech in which she also revealed that Peters had been laid to rest in the foundations of the statue
Moore’s daughter Roberta said: ‘He’d be very touched, and very humbled. It’s so poignant and special that it’s here.’
Moore, Hurst and Peters all came through the club’s academy.
The original 1966 World Cup champions’ statue, showing Moore, Hurst, Peters and Ray Wilson, will remain at the junction of Barking Road and Green Street, by the club’s former home at the Boleyn Ground.
Brady added: ‘We’re preparing to welcome European football back this week. The timing could not be any better.’
