Moore made his debut 50 years ago this September and to commemorate the occasion the Hammers have decided to retire the number that was made famous by the former centre-half in both West Ham and England colours.

"When we were talking about ways to mark 50 years since Bobby Moore's debut, there was only one true gesture that would do him justice - retiring the No6 shirt he made his own," explained the West Ham's chief executive officer Scott Duxbury on the club's official website.

Moore was 17-years-old when he made his first appearance in the claret and blue of the senior side against Manchester United in September 1958 and it is an occasion that will also be marked this Saturday by a friendly match against Villarreal in the inaugural Bobby Moore Cup.