Martin Peters

The complete midfielder who scored in the 1966 World Cup final.

via Wikipedia: Martin Peters · see source

Martin Stanford Peters (8 November 1943 – 21 December 2019) was an English footballer and manager. As a member of the England team which won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, he scored the second of England's four goals in the final against West Germany. He also played in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Born in Plaistow, Essex, he played club football for West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City and Sheffield United. He briefly managed Sheffield United before retiring from professional football in 1981.

Quick Facts

Full name: Martin Stanford Peters
Born: 8 November 1943
Died: 21 December 2019
Birthplace: Plaistow, Essex, England
Place of death: Brentwood, England
Position: Midfielder
Height: 1.84 m / 6 ft
Total caps: 727

Lore & Background

Peters was known as 'the complete midfielder' as he could pass the ball well with either foot, was good in the air and difficult to mark because of his movement. A free kick specialist, he was described by England manager Sir Alf Ramsey, after a game against Scotland in 1968, as being 'ten years ahead of his time'. His versatility was such that while he was at West Ham he played in every position in the team, including goalkeeper in his third game, replacing an injured Brian Rhodes. With his transfer from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur in 1970, he became Britain's first £200,000 footballer.

Reader's Guide

Peters was born in Plaistow, Essex, on 8 November 1943. He signed as a 15-year-old apprentice by West Ham in 1959. He made his debut for West Ham in 1962 and scored his first goal later that year. He played in goal for West Ham in a game against Cardiff after regular goalkeeper Brian Rhodes was injured. He won the European Cup Winners Cup with West Ham in 1965. He moved to Tottenham Hotspur in March 1970 for a record £200,000 fee, with Jimmy Greaves going the other way. He won the League Cup with Spurs in 1971 and 1973, and the UEFA Cup in 1972. He later played for Norwich City and Sheffield United, where he became player-coach and then manager.