A campaign to build a statue of Bobby Moore in Barking was launched at a film screening about the World Cup-winning captain last night.
Roberta Moore, daughter of the England football hero, joined councillors and members of the public at a packed-out Broadway Theatre for a special viewing of Bo66y.
After the documentary, council leader Darren Rodwell revealed plans to publicly source £167,641 – £30,000 of which has already been raised – to create a permanent tribute to the West Ham great in his hometown.
Using crowdfunding site Spacehive, the council has until Februrary next year to find the money for the statue, which would be erected in Ripple Road close to the junction with Axe Street.
After criticising both the FA and West Ham United for their treatment of the former Westbury (Ripple) primary pupil during his lifetime, Cllr Rodwell insisted more needed to be made of his heritage.
“In Barking town centre when we come out of the station and walk down the street there will be a statue of Bobby Moore, showing our young people that they can aspire to greatness, whether that’s in football or wherever they want to go in their lives,” he said.
“He was Sir Bobby Moore to the people of Barking and Dagenham and many others around the country.
“If we can’t honour the great man after 50 years [since he lifted the World Cup] we might as well give up on football.”
Produced by sports broadcaster Matthew Lorenzo, a close friend of the Moore family, the revealing and at times emotional film charts the defender’s life before and after the 1966 tournament, right up to his death in 1993.
Featuring interviews with friends, family members and footballers past and present, the documentary took three years to make and was a personal project for those involved.
“To have the film shown anywhere is nice, but it means a lot to have a screening here in his hometown,” explained Matthew, son of former BBC commentator Peter. “It’s very fitting.
“It did make me very angry when I working at Sky in the early years because they referred to him as ‘a bit old hat’, which stuck with me.
“They just overlooked him [for punditry]. I don’t like to use the word about anyone one, but he was a legend – a hero.”
Visit spacehive.com/the-people-s-statue-to-bobby-moore for more information about the campaign or to donate.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here