Martin Peters was born in November 1943, in Plaistow, East London. He signed as an apprentice with West Ham in 1959 and made his debut at home against Cardiff City in 1962
Martin Peters was born in November 1943, in Plaistow, East London. He signed as an apprentice with West Ham in 1959 and made his debut at home against Cardiff City in 1962. He went on to play in every position for the Hammers, including one appearance in goal! But it was as an attacking, creative midfielder that Martin truly made his mark on the English game. Tall, lean and blessed with great timing, Martin would often ‘ghost’ unmarked into forward positions to get on the end of crosses. The complete midfielder, he passed the ball well with either foot, was good in the air and difficult to mark because of his excellent movement.
He soon became a regular in the West Ham first team making 302 league appearances and scoring 81 league goals winning a European Cup Winners' Cup medal in 1965. He joined Tottenham Hotspur in March 1970 for £220,000, winning two League Cups and one UEFA Cup. Between 1970 and 1975 he would make 287 League and Cup appearances for Spurs before joining Norwich City for £50,000. In five years from March 1975 to August 1980, Martin played 232 games for the Canaries, scoring fifty times. His career total is 882 games and 220 goals.
An essential part of the 1966 World Cup winning squad, he won 67 England caps and was awarded the MBE in 1978.
