Bobby Moore TV tribute filmed in Thorpe Bay (From Echo)

Bobby Moore TV tribute filmed in Thorpe Bay

5:30pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in Southend

Brian Dear with Sky Sports reporter and cameraman

A MOVING tribute to England football great, and one-time Southend United manager, Bobby Moore has been filmed in Thorpe Bay.

It’s now almost 20 years since West Ham United legend Bobby, the only man to captain England to World Cup glory (in 1966), died of bowel cancer, aged 51.

As part of a tribute his friend, and former West Ham United team mate, Brian Dear from Shoebury, has been interviewed for the planned Sky Sports Soccer Saturday programme.

Sky is producing the piece to mark the anniversary of Bobby’s death - February 24, 1993 - and Brian was filmed at The Roslin Beach Hotel.

There, he recalled how the pair lived together for a while, went for regular seafront strolls with their dogs and often popped into the cockle sheds in Old Leigh.

Brian, 69, said: “It’s been like a trip down memory lane.

“I met Bobby in the Sixties when I was on ground staff at West Ham and he became professional, it took me another two years to become pro.

“We played together there but were also became great friends. We socialised together and enjoyed a pint of lager or two.“

Brian went on to continue his career at Fulham and Millwall before returning to West Ham and after retiring he settled in Southend where he ran a hotel at Southend Airport in the Eighties.

He also worked as a publican for some years, and joined Southend United as catering manager.

Bobby managed the Blues between 1984 and 1986 and went on to be non-executive director at the club.

Brian added: “Before Bobby had a property here with his wife he lived with me at the hotel. Our friendship grew even stronger.

“We used to go to the cockle sheds in Old Leigh or walk the dogs.

“He was a very popular fellow.

“He left Southend in 1985 and went to live in London, but we remained close.”

He added: “I can’t believe it’s 20 years since he died.

“I’m quite involved with his charity the Bobby Moore Bowel Cancer Fund, they’ve raised about £17million an unbelievable amount of money.”

The tribute will be aired on Saturday February 23.