Tony Blair Pays Tribute to World Cup-winner Bobby Moore
Soccer: Never one to jump on the bandwagon, knacked PM Tony Blair today unveiled a statue of England legend Bobby Moore outisde the new Wembley.
Tony Blair began his last days in power today by unveiling a statue of England's World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore outside the new Wembley.
The surviving members of the 1966 triumph over West Germany were also at the stadium for a ceremony to honour Moore, who died of cancer at the age of 51 in 1993.
Mr Blair described Moore as "a true gentleman and one of the greatest football legends and people this country has ever produced".
The prime minister added that Moore's leadership had been a major contribution to the nation's only World Cup win. "No one who watched that match can ever forget it in particular the contribution that Bobby Moore personally made," Mr Blair said. "Throughout the entirety of his time both with West Ham and the many years with over 100 caps for England, he was a superb footballer.
"He was somebody who inspired in people a great deal of respect and affection for the way he carried himself throughout the entirety of his life. If you wanted a role model not just for sport but for people in public life, Bobby Moore would be a pretty good one to take."
The FA has invited both Mr Blair and his probable successor, Gordon Brown, to the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley, but is struggling to satisfy the demand for tickets from players and their relatives.
The surviving members of the 1966 triumph over West Germany were also at the stadium for a ceremony to honour Moore, who died of cancer at the age of 51 in 1993.
Mr Blair described Moore as "a true gentleman and one of the greatest football legends and people this country has ever produced".
The prime minister added that Moore's leadership had been a major contribution to the nation's only World Cup win. "No one who watched that match can ever forget it in particular the contribution that Bobby Moore personally made," Mr Blair said. "Throughout the entirety of his time both with West Ham and the many years with over 100 caps for England, he was a superb footballer.
"He was somebody who inspired in people a great deal of respect and affection for the way he carried himself throughout the entirety of his life. If you wanted a role model not just for sport but for people in public life, Bobby Moore would be a pretty good one to take."
The FA has invited both Mr Blair and his probable successor, Gordon Brown, to the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley, but is struggling to satisfy the demand for tickets from players and their relatives.
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