Martin Peters dead: England’s 1966 World Cup final goalscorer dies aged 76

His former teammate Sir Geoff Hurst said it was a “very sad day for football and for me personally”

Martin Peters, right, with Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst at Wembley (Rex)

Martin Peters, the former West Ham United midfielder who scored the second goal in England’s World Cup winning final against West Germany in 1966, has died at the age of 76.

Peters, whose death was announced by West Ham, was part of the Hammers trio of captain Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 victory at Wembley in Sir Alf Ramsey’s side.

His family said in a statement: “It is with profound sadness that we announce that Martin passed away peacefully in his sleep at 4.00am this morning.

“A beloved husband, dad and grandad, and a kind, gentle and private man, we are devastated by his loss but so very proud of all that he achieved and comforted by the many happy memories we shared.”

West Ham owners David Gold and David Sullivan said in a joint statement: “On behalf of everyone at West Ham United, we would like to express our deep sadness at the tragic loss of Martin Peters, one of the greatest figures in the 125-year history of our club.

“A local boy who progressed through the academy ranks, played football with class, skill and determination, and provided our supporters with a host of magical memories over the years.”

His former England teammate Sir Geoff Hurst said it was a “very sad day for football and for me personally”.

Peters came through West Ham’s academy, having joined as an apprentice at the age of 15 in 1959, and won the European Cup Winners’ Cup with the club in 1965. He was an all-round midfielder who would often arrive unmarked in the box to score, earning him the nickname “The Ghost”.

After 11 years, more than 300 games and some 100 goals for West Ham, Peters left Upton Park for Tottenham in 1970, becoming Britain’s first £200,000 footballer in a deal which saw striker Jimmy Greaves head in the opposite direction.

While at White Hart Lane, Peters helped Bill Nicholson’s team lift the League Cup at Wembley in 1971 and again, as captain, in 1973, a season after playing his part in Spurs’ Uefa Cup victory over Wolves.

Peters, who earned 67 caps, scoring 20 international goals, also had spells at Norwich and Sheffield United before retiring in 1981.

Left to right: West Ham’s World Cup stars Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Martin Peters (Getty)

In 2016, it was revealed Peters had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, one of several of the 1966 World Cup team to be battling dementia. He is the fifth member of the 1966 World Cup final team to die following Alan Ball, Ray Wilson, Gordon Banks and Bobby Moore.

Gary Lineker, England’s second highest goalscorer, tweeted: “Sorry to hear that Martin Peters has passed away. One of our World Cup winning heroes. A great player and a true gentleman.”

Spurs said they were “extremely saddened” to hear of Peters’ death: “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

A tweet from the official England account read: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Martin Peters MBE, scorer of the Three Lions’ second goal in the 1966 World Cup final, at the age of 76. Our thoughts are with Martin’s family and friends at this difficult time.”