‘Stupendous’ Celtic play West Ham in Bobby Moore Testimonial

The Celtic Star

·16 November 2024

‘Stupendous’ Celtic play West Ham in Bobby Moore Testimonial

On this day 54 years ago, Jock Stein’s Celtic travelled to face West Ham for Bobby Moore’s testimonial…”Stupendous” that’s what London fans think of Stein’s stunners!

31 July 1966. England manager Alf Ramsey and Captain Bobby Moore hold up the Jules Rimet Trophy as other England players look on during a lunch reception at ITV Elstree Television studios after England won the World Cup Final against West Germany. Photo Allsport Hulton/Archive

This testimonial match which is remembered for the attacking quality on show ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw with both teams treating the game very seriously and giving 100%.

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It had been the Hoops first visit to England’s capital in 12 years and had been played in front of 25,000 thousand spectators at Boleyn Ground. Enthusiasts had been eager to watch a bulk of the 1967 European Cup icons, and the side who had reached the competitions final just six months previously.

At the time of 1970, Moore had been appreciated by Pele as the best defender in the world. Of course, the towering Hammers skipper had lifted the 1966 World Cup trophy with England and had been the only player to raise a major trophy for the Hammers triumphing both the FA Cup and European Cup Winners Cup in the 60s which hosted West Ham’s most successful decade in their club history.

West Ham v Celtic, 16 November 1970. Bobby Moore Testimonial. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Considered as one of the greatest players to have ever kicked a ball, Moore was runner up for the Ballon D’or in 1970 narrowly finishing behind West Germany’s Gerd Muller who clinched the most decorated individual footballing honour.

Despite playing another four years in Claret and Blue, Moore had his testimonial towards at the latter end of 1970. It was Celtic who he had chosen for his match, and it had been a real privilege and honour for Hoops officials to have been asked by the England World Cup winning captain to be his opponents in this fixture.

West Ham v Celtic, 16 November 1970. Bobby Moore Testimonial. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Meanwhile, the game itself is said to have been the first ever sponsored football game. Fuel suppliers Esso took charge of arrangements for the match, and they had played a huge role in attracting Celtic to travel down to London and take part in Moore’s commemorative outing.

Managed by Ron Greenwood who would go onto manage England between 1977-1982, West Ham’s squad featured top class names. Geoff Hurst, Frank Lampard and Clyde Best all featured in the scintillating attacking tussle between Celtic and the Hammers.

West Ham v Celtic, 16 November 1970. Bobby Moore Testimonial. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Celtic had taken the lead three times in the match, but West Ham exemplified their fighting spirit. First-half strikes from Lennox and Jinky were cancelled out by Hurst and then Ayris equaliser in the second half. George Connelly had thought he had found the winner for Stein’s men, but Clyde Best tied the game level for the final time four minutes later.

Robert Oxby, a Daily Telegraph reporter had written the next day that keen readers should, “ignore the scoreline. Celtic playing with that flair that has made them such a force in the world and they out-classed the Londoners.”

Oxby added: “The match was played in a fearfully competitive spirit and perhaps the most fitting tribute to a man who, by common consent, is regarded as a model professional.”

West Ham v Celtic, 16 November 1970. Bobby Moore Testimonial. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Jock Stein’s Celtic starting XI 54 years to the day; Williams, Craig, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeill, Brogan, Johnstone, Connelly, Hughes, Hay, Lennox.

West Ham v Celtic, 16 November 1970. Bobby Moore Testimonial. Photo The Celtic Wiki

My colleague Mike Maher has written about travelling down to London for this game and this brilliant article will follow next on The Celtic Star.

Connor Spence

Matt Corr’s wonderful new books, Celtic in the Thirties, Volumes One & Two are both out now on Celtic Star Books and you can order a signed copies by clicking on the links below…