Geoff Hurst leads tributes to fellow World Cup scorer
WORLD Cup-winning England footballer Martin Peters was hailed a true gentleman last night after he lost his dementia battle aged 76.
The Spurs midfielder – who scored when the Three Lions beat West Germany 4-2 in 1966 – died in his sleep three years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
World Cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst, 78, said: “Today is a very sad day for football and for me personally.
“Martin was one of the all time greats and a close friend and colleague of mine for in excess of 50 years. RIP old friend.”
Former Tottenham owner Lord Alan Sugar wrote: “RIP Martin Peters. One of the Spurs board directors under my watch as well as a great player. He was a real gentleman.”
Peters – nicknamed The Ghost for his ability to drift into threatening positions – scored for England in the last 15 minutes of the World Cup to make it 2-1. Then
Germany equalised but were beaten 4-2 in extra time.
His death is a fresh reminder of the shocking toll that dementia is taking on footballers.
The West Ham and Spurs legend is one of at least four players in the World Cup squad struck down.
Nobby Stiles, 77, and Jack Charlton, 84, are sufferers. Defender Ray Wilson passed away in May last year aged 83 after living with Alzheimer’s for 14 years.
Peters is survived by wife Kathleen, daughter Lee-ann and son Grant.
Last night they said: “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.”
Former players and celebrities lined up to pay tribute to Peters, who won 67 caps and scored 20 goals for his country during a glittering career.
England’s most-capped player, goalkeeper Peter Shilton, 70, said: “Such a gentleman. I played with him when my career started and was very fond of him, I will miss him.” Fellow England star Gary Lineker called him a “great player and a true gentleman”.
Peters was the first £200,000 player when he transferred from the Hammers to Tottenham in 1970. He also played for Norwich and Sheffield United before retiring from professional football
in 1981 – having taken charge of the Blades. Peters sold his World Cup memorabilia to West Ham in 2001.
He was a regular figure at both White Hart Lane and Upton Park.
He spent years carrying out a role as match-day host and after dinner speaker.
Peters was son of a London docks lighterman and was born in Plaistow, east London.
In 2017, Sir Geoff Hurst spoke of his torment at Peters’ 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.
“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.”
Former England international Jeff Astle developed dementia and died in 2002 at the age of 59.
Martin was one of the all-time greats – and this is a sad day
Impact
The inquest into his death found heading heavy leather footballs repeatedly had contributed to trauma to his brain.
It sparked calls for research into the impact of heading the ball. Earlier this year experts revealed former professional footballers were three and a half times more likely to die of dementia than people of the same age.
Professors at Glasgow University have been investigating fears that heading the ball could be linked to brain injuries.
Spurs will hold a minute’s applause before their home Premier League clash with Chelsea today in memory of Peters.