To be described by the only England Manager to win the World Cup as a player who was 'ten years ahead of his time' was indeed an accolade as well as a statement that was well suited to Martin Peters when the remark was made about him by Sir Alf Ramsey in 1966. His ability to 'ghost' into the opposition's penalty area on the blind-side and deliver a telling blow with a classic header or thumping volley signalled Martin out as unique amongst other players and one of world class ability with a perception others could scarcely match.

The young Peters played as a schoolboy for Dagenham, London and Essex before selection for England Schools. After signing as an apprentice for West Ham United in May 1959, followed by full pro eighteen months later, he was capped three times as an England Youth Under 23.

The first of his 302 League appearances (81 goals) as a Hammer was made on Good Friday 1962 in the home win over Cardiff City and in the next eight seasons he showed his versatility by playing in every position in the team -including goalkeeper - and he also made 62 Cup appearances scoring a further 19 goals. Despite the disappointment of missing out on the FA Cup win of 1964 many faultless displays the following season were capped with a European Cup Winners' Cup medal at Wembley and the 'Hammer of the Year' award. Twelve months later at the Twin Towers he made the first of his 67 full England appearances (33 with West Ham). Just three months and a further seven caps later he was one of the trio of Hammers World Cup heroes, scoring such a crucial second goal as he crashed home a dropping ball from the edge of the penalty area - to add to Geoff Hurst's hat-trick in that remarkable victory. The previous March he had also earned a League Cup runners-up medal against West Bromwich Albion.

During the 60s the understanding between Peters, Hurst and Bobby Moore was uncanny and led to a glut of goals for the former two, both at club and international level. Their partnership in the claret and blue was finally broken-up in March 1970 when Martin moved to Tottenham Hotspur in a £200,000 deal which was an English record at the time. 

In March 1975 Martin was once again on the move with a £50,000 transfer to Norwich City. During his time at Carrow Road he was awarded the MBE for his services to football - a thoroughly deserved honour. A short spell at Sheffield United during 1980-81 as player-manager ended his professional playing career in which he totalled well over 900 competitive games for his various clubs and country.

 

Born: 8 November 1943, Plaistow, London, England

Debut: 20 April 1962, Cardiff City (H)

Last game: 14 March 1970, Ipswich Town (H)

Transferred: Tottenham Hotspur, 16 March 1970, Fee: £200,000 + Jimmy Greaves

Appearances: 364

Goals: 100

Honours: M.B.E. (1978)

International: England (33 caps), World Cup Winner (1966), England Under-23 (5 caps), England Youth (12 caps), England / Young England Inter-League (5 caps), Football League Inter-League (6 caps)

Individual honours: European Cup Winners Cup (1965), Hammer of the Year (1965), Football League Cup Runners-up (1966)

Died: 21 December 2019, Brentwood (aged 76)