Bobby Moore: The Life and Times of A Sporting Hero

by Jeff Powell

Bobby Moore was the embodiment of all that was great about English football. Captain of West Ham United, whom he led to the 1964 FA Cup and the 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup, and Captain of England in their triumph in the World Cup in 1966; he was loved and respected throughout the world. In this definitive and authorized biography, award-winning sportswriter Jeff Powell—for many years a close friend and confidant to Moore and his family—has written a powerful and fitting tribute to this legendary man.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Raymond Hey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed book. Read it on Kindle and there were a few spelling mistakes. Did not realise that Fay Wilson had played in World Cup final of 1966

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jeff Powell is a respected sports journalist and was a close friend of England football captain Bobby Moore. These facts bring both positives and negatives to this biography of a very reserved and enigmatic man. On the one hand, the book is easy to read and has benefited from the close cooperation of Moore - his direct contributions are interesting and often revealing. On the other, it is a very one-sided view with little real challenge to Moore's public persona, and often strays into 'purple' journalistic prose in its praise of the captain.

Sadly Moore's early death from cancer shadows the book and there is a real sense of grief and loss in Powell's early chapters. Personally I preferred the chapters that dealt with his footballing career as his personal life is given quite a subjective and sometimes superficial treatment. The accounts of his early days at West Ham, his relationship with managers and teammates, and of course the World Cups of 1966 and 1970 with their contrasting fortunes were really engrossing and well written.

Overall, this is a solid sporting biography, but as the title might suggest, the hero persona is maintained and for me it lacked a more balanced appraisal. Definitely worth reading if you are a football fan though.

[Martin challis · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Moore heroes any more

Very true. The game of football misses gentlemen such as Moore, the human race misses gentlemen such as Bobby. I would have liked to learn more about the man, his childhood and his life aside of football. However I understand this work as a true friend's tribute to his hero.

[Zac Stojcevski · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting journey into the on and off field life of Bobby Moore as written by a mate. Perhaps unbalanced because of that as there is nary a negative tone throughout the book and even those are quashed. Nevertheless, informative and a real treat for football followers.