Bobby Moore's ex-wife, Tina, and their daughter, Roberta, have initiated a High Court legal action to recover the iconic No. 6 jersey worn by the England captain during the 1966 World Cup victory. Tina, 83, and Roberta, 61, maintain that the shirt meant everything to the legendary footballer and that he would never have willingly parted with it.
A Priceless Legacy
The shirt, a symbol of England's greatest footballing triumph, has been missing for over a quarter of a century. Tina understands the profound pride associated with captaining England, drawing a parallel to current captain Harry Kane's reverence for the Three Lions badge. "To wear that shirt as captain of England was one of the greatest honours of Bobby's life," Tina stated. "Like Harry, he loved his country – loved playing for England."
The family only became aware of the shirt's disappearance around 2000 when Tina helped organize an auction of Bobby Moore's memorabilia. At the same time, the yellow shirt swapped with Brazilian legend Pelé after the 1970 World Cup match also went missing from the attic where it was stored.
Legal Action and Family's Determination
The family has named Neville Evans, a prominent collector of football memorabilia, in their High Court filing. Evans is believed to be either in possession of the shirt or can assist in its recovery. The legal papers assert that while Evans is not accused of acquiring the shirt illegally, the family is demanding its return or a full disclosure of its whereabouts. Should Evans fail to file a defense, he could be ordered to pay a sum equivalent to the shirt's value, estimated to be over £1 million.
Roberta described their efforts to locate the shirt as being met with a "troubling wall of silence." She refuted any suggestion that her father would have casually given away the most precious shirt from his career, emphasizing his deep sentimental attachment to items from the 1966 World Cup. The family believes the shirt should be displayed for the public, not kept privately. "For the nation and for my family," Tina stated, expressing her duty to right what has happened and bring the shirt home.
A Cherished Memory
Tina recalled Bobby Moore's immense pride in the World Cup victory, remembering him retrieving the shirt from a locked attic to show friends. She described him as an honorable man who was fun-loving and deeply attached to his country. Despite their divorce in 1986, Tina maintained a strong emotional connection to Bobby, who passed away from bowel cancer in 1993. Bobby had promised Pelé's swapped shirt to their son Dean, who died in 2011. The family believes these cherished items belong to Bobby's descendants and should be accessible to the public.
Bobby Moore, captain of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team, remains a revered figure in English football history. The iconic image of him holding the Jules Rimet trophy aloft after the 4-2 victory over West Germany is etched in national memory.
