1966 LEGEND DEAD
Martin Peters dead – England 1966 World Cup winner and West Ham legend dies aged 76
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ENGLAND World Cup winner Martin Peters has died aged 76.
West Ham icon Peters - who scored for the Three Lions in the 1966 Final - passed away in his sleep this morning.
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A statement on the West Ham website said: "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.
"We will be making no further comment and kindly ask that the privacy of our family is respected at this extremely difficult time."
West Ham legend Tony Cottee tweeted: "So sorry to hear about the passing of England & West Ham legend Martin Peters.
"#RIPMartin. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
Peters had spells Norwich City, and Sheffield United at the end of his career but after West Ham is best known for his time with Tottenham.
The North Londoners tweeted their own message of condolence which read: "We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Martin Peters. The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
Former Spurs striker Gary Lineker also posted a message.
He wrote: "Sorry to hear that Martin Peters has passed away. One of our World Cup winning heroes.
"A great player and a true gentleman."
In 2017, World Cup hattrick hero Geoff Hurst spoke of his torment at Martin's battle with Alzheimer's - saying his close pal could no longer remember the 1966 triumph.
He said: "It is very very difficult, whether he would recognise me or know me.
"We have discussed it with his wife and family, and we have left it that we would not get involved, apart from my wife talking to his wife, and I think she appreciates that, to have someone she can talk to and discuss how Martin is.
"It is heartbreaking for the people involved, and almost impossible to understand how difficult it is for the families. It is a disease which doesn't get better.
"If you have a physical disease, or a broken leg, you can recover from it and get better in time, with dementia it only goes one way, albeit at different levels.
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"That is the awful thing about it, because it is not going to get any better than it is today, in fact it is going to deteriorate.
"My wife Judith speaks closely with Martin's wife, Kathy, almost daily.
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It comes after Peters's World Cup teammate Gordon Banks died from kidney cancer on February 12, 2019.
Midfielder Alan Ball passed away in 2007, while Ray Wilson died in 2018.
Skipper Bobby Moore died from cancer in 1993, aged 51.