Sat 21 December 2019, 17:45
Tottenham HotspurWe were saddened to hear of the death of our former captain Martin Peters who passed away this morning at the age of 76.
Born in Plaistow, Martin was one of the finest midfielders of his generation and famously described by Sir Alf Ramsey as being “10 years ahead of his time.”
He came through the ranks at West Ham United where he helped the Hammers win the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 and scored in England’s historic World Cup Final win at Wembley the following year.
Martin became this country’s first £200,000 player when we signed him from West Ham in March, 1970, in a deal that saw Jimmy Greaves move to Upton Park.
An elegant visionary player whose speciality was ghosting in at the far post unseen to score so many of his trademark goals, Martin continued to play regularly for England while at White Hart Lane. He helped us win the League Cup in 1971 and 1973 plus the UEFA Cup in 1972, also playing in the final of the latter competition in 1974.
After 76 goals in 260 senior appearances for Spurs, he transferred to Norwich City in March, 1975, and was subsequently player-manager at Sheffield United. He was awarded an MBE in 1978 and returned to Spurs in August, 1998, for four years when he became a non-executive director with special responsibility for supporter liaison.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family and many friends in the game at this sad time. A true footballing great has left us but his memory will live on.
We shall observe a minute’s applause in tribute to Martin before Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
John Fennelly
