West Ham United will retire the No6 shirt with this Saturday's inaugural match for the Bobby Moore Cup against Spanish giants Villarreal at the Boleyn Ground. It is 50 years since the club legend made his debut in a 3-2 home win against Manchester United on Monday 8 September 1958.
As such, it was felt the time was right to permanently honour his contribution and lasting legacy. The decision was taken after close consultation with Bobby's widow Stephanie Moore, current No6 Matthew Upson, the England defender who will become the last player to wear the number, and the Premier League.
A billboard in the corner of the stadium will also feature a permanent No6 this season to remind of the significance of the half-century since a 17-year-old Moore broke into the first team. The rest is history. He went on to captain the club to success in the 1964 FA Cup and the 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup before finally leaving in 1974.
The 9 August match also marks a new three-year partnership agreement with the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, which was announced last month. The club is proud to already have a long-standing association with the charity, which works tirelessly to raise money for research into bowel cancer.
It was founded by Stephanie Moore, in partnership with Cancer Research UK (Registered Charity No. 1089464), after his tragic death from the disease aged just 51 in 1993. To commemorate the new partnership, £1 from the sale of every match ticket will go to the
Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK to help tackle bowel cancer. In addition, West Ham United will match each £1 raised to double the total amount donated to the charity.
This initiative follows on from a number of events last season, including the dedication of the home match against Newcastle United in his honour and the end of season championship staged at the stadium. With the new partnership, the Fund will have even stronger ties.
Stephanie Moore, of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research, said: "The legendary No6 shirt is synonymous with Bobby and his triumphant and illustrious footballing career. It's retirement signifies deep respect, affection and admiration for all that Bobby achieved and all that he represented in this marvellous game of ours. Thank you, West Ham."
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "When we were talking about ways to mark 50 years since Bobby Moore's debut, there was only one true gesture that would do him justice - retiring the No6 shirt he made his own. With the launching of the Bobby Moore Cup and the partnership with the fund in his name as well, he will be a part of this club for generations to come. Whenever fans think of West Ham United, they will think of Bobby Moore."
West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley said: "It is a fitting tribute to the greatest West Ham player ever and the decision to retire the Bobby Moore No6 shirt shows the esteem to which Bobby is held at the club.
"I first met Bobby as a 14-year-old being invited into the club during the summer holidays by Ron Greenwood to join in the pre-season training. I have fond memories of Bobby Moore as a person because of those times. He was the sort of person who had time for anybody. That was a great part of his personality. As a 14-year-old I had numerous conversations during the six weeks which helped me progress as a young player."
West Ham United defender Matthew Upson, who will wear the No15 shirt after Saturday's game, said: "I think it's a fitting contribution by the club to retire the No6 shirt in tribute to Bobby Moore. I am honoured to be the last player to wear the No6. I will miss it, but I am glad that is being retired in honour of such a fantastic player and a true club legend."
