More than 25 West Ham United favorites of years gone by returned to the Boleyn Ground to celebrate the career of the great Bobby Moore.
Moore's long-time defensive partner and friend Ken Brown, fellow 1966 FIFA World Cup hero Martin Peters, 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup winner Brian Dear, 1964 FA Cup winners Peter Brabrook and Eddie Bovington and many more were back in east London for the launch of a new book chronicling the Hammers career of Moore.
Author Tim Crane has spoken to more than 60 of the 89 players including Bermuda’s Clyde Best who lined up alongside the legendary captain during his 17 seasons in the West Ham starting XI, compiling a unique book entitled 'They Play With Bobby Moore - The West Ham Years'.
Crane, who also edits the popular Ex-Hammers magazine, was honored to be joined at the launch by so many of the players he revered as a youngster.
"It's been quite an adventure," he confirmed. "It has taken me 18 months to track them all down. I knew they were out there somewhere, but they were spread across four continents.
"Sixty-three of them are still with us. Sadly we have lost a few but I spoke to the families of the deceased Hammers, and those interviews are just as important.
"I have been into every attic and every shoebox and suitcase and found glories and riches above any West Ham supporter's imagination. I'm really pleased that I've been able to showcase all that in this book for supporters of West Ham.
"It was a labor of love, but it's not about me. It's very important that these memories are preserved for future generations. There are so many rich, funny, emotional and sad stories in this book that it would be a travesty if they went to the grave. They haven't, so they are out there for everyone to enjoy them."
Brown was Moore's partner when the 17-year-old made his debut against Manchester United in September 1958, before going on to play 274 more times alongside the great defender.
"I'll never forget my time with him because he was superb," said Brown, now 80. "You can't describe how perfect he was. I lost count of the number of times I went around the back thinking he was going to miss the ball, but he never did! He was an unbelievable player who got better and better with each game.
"It's terrific meeting everybody again! It's tremendous and always nice to come back here."
For winger Brabrook, spending time in the company of so many of his old friends and colleagues, reminiscing about old times, was a fitting way to launch a book with such illustrious subject matter.
"It was a fantastic time and I think we all enjoyed it, as I certainly did. There are quite a few I haven't seen for years, and some I didn't know at all because they joined after I had left, but it's great to see them all.
"It is great to hold such an event for Bobby and I hope he is up there looking down and knows we are having a go at trying to support all that he believed in.
"I have fantastic memories. You are going back a long while but they are great memories of things we won, things we got close to winning and a decent side as well."
