BOBBY Moore’s widow today calls on Harry Kane and Co to summon the spirit of 1966 – and make history at Wembley.
Stephanie Moore MBE reckons the famous stadium will give England the edge in their seismic semi-final against Denmark.
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Victory will send Gareth Southgate’s men into their first final since her beloved Bobby lifted the World Cup 55 years ago.
And in an emotional rallying cry ahead of the match she told them: “It’s time to go and write your own history.”
In an exclusive interview Stephanie, 70, told The Sun: “They all know how significant 1966 was for the country. It’s now time for the boys to become legends in their own right.
“Winning it would do so much to lift the mood of the whole country after the nightmare of the last 18 months. I’ve been struck by how united the team has seemed throughout the tournament. I hope they can stick together and fight for each other, just like Bobby and his teammates did.”
And she reckons the noise from 60,000 fans inside Wembley – the biggest gathering since Covid began last March – will be key. She said: “There were 45,000 people at the game against West Germany, but you wouldn’t have known that from watching it on TV – it sounded like far more.
“Bobby always loved the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro but he considered Wembley his home turf and his favourite stadium in the entire world.
“Once, when we were watching a game there, he turned and said to me: ‘Do you know, stepping out onto the Wembley pitch is like levitating’. So I think it will be a big advantage for the boys playing there.
“We have an excellent chance but it will be challenging and emotional. Denmark are coming into the lion’s den tenacious and focused. England can do it if they believe in their ability and execute what Gareth has taught them.”
She heaped praise on the England boss and skipper Harry Kane and said the pair both remind her of Bobby. He died from bowel cancer in 1993 aged just 51.
Stephanie says there is no one more deserving to follow in Bobby’s footsteps than the 27-year-old who has supported her charity-crusade. She added: “Harry is a tremendous role model and ambassador for Bobby’s charity as well as football.
“Like Bobby he represents all that is honourable and dignified in an England Captain. If we were to lift a major trophy again, it would be fitting for Harry to be that captain and follow in Bobby’s footsteps.
“I also see a lot of similarities between Bobby and Gareth. They are both dignified and statesman-like. Bobby was a remarkable man and a remarkable footballer and Gareth is doing a remarkable job at the moment.”
Harry is a tremendous role model and ambassador for Bobby’s charity.
Stephanie Moore
Stepahnie’s comments come as she embarks on a major new campaign for the Bobby Moore Foundation which has fought tirelessly to raise awareness of cancer for the last 28 years.
She set up the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK shortly after his death to fund world-class research and awareness projects to tackle bowel cancer. It has since raised over £28m for bowel cancer research.
Proud Stephanie said: “Despite the enormous progress made in this time, bowel cancer is still the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, claiming the lives of 45 people every day, so there is still so much more to do.
“As this past year proves, more than any other, the value of investing in science and medical research and what can be achieved with collective focus and collaboration. Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer.
“During these difficult times, I can’t help but recall and admire how Bobby faced extreme adversity with calm stoicism and I try to emulate that strength.”
- Show that you believe in England and tackling bowel cancer by purchasing a ‘We Believe’ tee at webelieve2021.com. A minimum of £5 from the sale of each adult T-shirt (or £3 for the kids’ T-shirt) will go to Cancer Research UK’s Bobby Moore Fund.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
