West Ham United fans were in good voice at the weekend to acknowledge the opening of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand with the man in himself in attendance.
Sir Trevor was introduced to the crowd and presented to both teams along with Stephanie Moore MBE before the Bobby Moore Cup, which finished in a 1-0 victory for SSC Napoli. The club legend, who played a key role in the FA Cup wins of 1975 and 1980, was a fitting choice when it came to renaming the Centenary Stand.
As well as being a player, manager and director of the club in his time, the FA director of football development had fond memories of being a fan at the original North Bank end of the stadium that now bears his name.
"I used to watch from there as well but in those days when it was all standing we little juniors could take a stool," the 60-year-old said. "We all went down the front so we could stand on the stool to see while our parents stood further back. We would meet up at the final whistle to go home together which you couldn't even imagine being able to happen now. That was how you went to football."
Having made his debut in a 3-3 draw at Burnley in August 1967, he stayed loyal to the cause even during relegation and went on to play 636 games for West Ham, scoring 103 goals, before retiring in 1984. He also played 47 times for England, scoring five goals.
Although centre of attention at the weekend, Sir Trevor was also keen to show his support for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK which was benefiting from vital fund-raising and awareness around the match.
Sir Trevor added: "We are in a cycle where a lot of people are bemused by the money in football but it is great to see areas where something is being put back in.
"The Fund has been driven forward by Bobby's wife Stephanie and she has raised a lot of money and helped to save a lot of lives with the investment and research they have done. They deserve a lot of credit and praise."
Click here for more on the Fund.
