Bobby Moore, a stylish hero

BOBBY MOORE, captain of the England football team who won the World Cup in 1966, died 'peacefully and painlessly' at his London home yesterday. He was 51 and for the past two years had been fighting cancer of the colon, but the disease recently spread to his liver.

Moore was one of the game's great players, on a par with Stanley Matthews, the Brazilian Pele and Germany's Franz Beckenbauer. His fame, however, went far beyond the pitch. He was a hero for all sports fans, a Boy's Own figure who epitomised all the qualities of sporting endeavour so often missing from today's arena: style and grace, dignity and sportsmanship.

A defender, Moore enjoyed a 20-year career for West Ham United, Fulham, and England, playing in 668 League games. His quiet authority and East End dependability made him the natural choice to captain his country.

No one who was there that glorious July afternoon 27 years ago when England beat West Germany 4-2, or who witnessed the occasion on television, will forget the sight of the blond-haired No 6 climbing the 39 steps to Wembley's Royal Box, a respectful wipe of his hands on the velvet surrounds preceding his acceptance of the Jules Rimet Trophy from the Queen. The next year he was appointed OBE.

Moore represented England in 108 internationals. He led the team in 90, England winning 57 games, drawing 20 and losing 13.

At club level he won the FA Cup with West Ham in 1964 and the European Cup-Winners' Cup a year later. He retired in 1977 and, after brief stints managing Oxford City and Southend United, decided to concentrate on his sports marketing company and media work. He was a regular commentator for London's Capital Radio station and helped to report England's World Cup victory over San Marino last week.

Ten days ago Moore revealed he had cancer. He had undergone colon surgery in 1991, but the disease spread to his liver.

In a statement on 14 February he said: 'I have a battle to win.' In recent months, he had travelled to the United States in connection with the 1994 World Cup.

Obituary, page 29

Reports and tributes, pages 33, 34

(Photograph omitted)