World Cup hero Moore has cancer

BOBBY MOORE, captain of England's 1966 World Cup winning football team, disclosed last night that he had cancer and spoke of his fight against the disease.

In a statement in response to increasing media interest in his health, Mr Moore said he had decided to let it be known he was undergoing treatment.

He said an operation was carried out on his colon in April 1991 and therapy was continuing after cancer elements were identified in his liver.

Mr Moore, 51, said: 'Fortunately I have been able to continue leading my normal life and hope to continue doing so. I have a battle to win and would ask only that I am given the chance to do so without intrusion in my private life.'

Mr Moore was made an OBE the year after England's World Cup success. He won 108 international caps, and since he gave up playing has been involved in football management and business ventures.

The former West Ham player is currently a partner in a sports marketing company, Mitchell- Moore Associates, and returned recently from the United States where he was working on 1994 World Cup projects.

Mr Moore said he intended to continue as a match commentator for Capital Radio in London.

He married Stephanie Parlane-Moore, an air hostess, in December 1991 and has two children, Dean and Roberta, by his first marriage to Tina, a former model.

Stephanie Moore said last night: 'He has been jogging, swimming and playing golf as well as working normally. We are all very proud of him.'