In the 1960's I had just learnt to drive, and upon reaching the right age and passing my test I bought myself a cheap second hand Austin 1100. After getting the car I started venturing further away from home which was in Braintree, Essex and met one of my first girlfriends at the Palais in Ilford. Shortly after this I travelled down her home in Barking, Essex, to take her out. I didnt know the area so decided to let her choose where we were to go that evening.

Her choice was to see a film in East Ham. Following her directions I ended up parking close by West Ham football ground. After parking the car we walked back past the ground to get to the Cinema. As we passed I stopped to look in the window of a sports shop. I was so busy looking in the window I did not pay any attention to the car I heard pull up at the kerb. A couple of minutes later someone got out of the car and, carrying a box, let themselves into the shop. It was only when the man came back out I realised it was Bobby Moore.

He was dressed in evening suit, bow tie; the works. He stopped to talk - asked me what I thought of the window display and spoke further for another 5 minutes. I got the impression he owned the shop. I was so flabbergasted that I couldn't remember afterwards the other things we discussed! As he walked back to his Jaguar I realised that he had some passengers who were also similarly dressed for a posh night out. I recognised Geoff Hurst but not the two ladies in the car, who I assumed were Bobby and Geoff's wives. I shall never forget the friendliness and time he devoted to me (a nobody) even though he was clearly going somewhere important and had three people waiting. He was a gentleman. I'd be very surprised if a youngster today would be similarly treated by today's overpaid and celebrity superstar footballers!