Football
Reuters 4y

England World Cup winner Martin Peters dies, aged 76

England World Cup winner Martin Peters has died at the age of 76, his former club West Ham United announced on Saturday.

Peters was part of England's 1966 World Cup-winning side and scored in the final against West Germany.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce that Martin passed away peacefully in his sleep at 4 a.m. this morning," a statement from his family posted on West Ham's website 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 we are comforted by the many happy memories we shared."

Peters is the fifth member of England's World Cup final team to have died after captain Bobby Moore, Alan Ball, Ray Wilson and Gordon Banks.

Peters joined West Ham in 1959 and was a key player in the side that won the 1965 Cup Winners' Cup final at Wembley.

The midfielder won 70 England caps and scored 100 goals in 364 first team appearances for West Ham before moving across London to join Tottenham Hotspur in 1970 in a deal that saw striker Jimmy Greaves go the other way.

Peters also had spells with Norwich City and Sheffield United.

Geoff Hurst, England's hat trick hero in the World Cup final and a former West Ham teammate of Peters, described him as one of the all-time greats.

"A fellow World Cup final goalscorer and my West Ham partner for years along with Bobby Moore," Hurst said. "RIP old friend."

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