It was 56 years ago today that a 17-year-old Bobby Moore took his first step to becoming England's most feted football hero.
The Barking-born youngster was a late replacement for inside-half Bill Lansdowne, who had been a constant in the team previously, in what was West Ham's sixth game of the 1958/59 season.The newly-promoted Hammers, enjoying their first season in the top flight since the 1930s had enjoyed a great start to the campaign, winning three and drawing one of their opening five games including a 1-0 win over defending league champions Wolves.
Moore was to make his professional debut against Manchester United, a club that he would cross swords with countless times over the ensuing years - most notably in the epic FA Cup semi final at Hillsborough in 1964, when West Ham beat the Reds 3-2 to book a place at Wembley.
Moore's debut - in which he wore the number six shirt that he was to become synonymous with - ended with the same scoreline after John Dick, John Smith and Malcolm Musgrove gave the Hammers a three goal lead before late strikes from Colin Webster and (the injured) Wilf McGuinness gave the scoreline some respectability for the visitors.
Manchester United manager at the time was Matt Busby (who became 'Sir Matt' in 1968 following the European Cup win over Benfica). Hugely impressed by the performance of young Moore, he spoke effusively about the talented youngster after the game.
It was to be the first of only five appearances Moore was to make that season, as he lost his place following a 4-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest the week after the Man Utd triumph.
However Hammers boss Ted Fenton - who was to pass the managerial reigns over to Ron Greenwood two years later - had seen enough to know that he had a remarkable young talent on his hands.
West Ham Utd 3-2 Manchester Utd
8th September 1958
West Ham Utd: Gregory, Bond, Catwell, Malcolm, Brown, MOORE, Grice, Smith, Keeble, Dick, Musgrove.
Goals: Dick (8), Smith (36), Musgrove (59); Webster (69), McGunness (82).
Attendance: 35,672.
Referee: J Hunt.
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