Recall the roar of the crowd. The ecstasy of victory. That’s what the World Cup Sculpture embodies.
The World Cup Sculpture also known as The Champions stands before us. It’s a bronze statue. This monument immortalizes England’s 1966 World Cup Final victory. It is located in the London Borough of Newham.
The World Cup Sculpture depicts a scene of pure jubilation. It captures Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, and Ray Wilson. These players are forever frozen in a moment of triumph. It’s the only time England’s national team has won the World Cup. Moore is held high. He holds the Jules Rimet Trophy. His colleagues surround him in celebration.
The World Cup Sculpture stands near West Ham United Football Club’s former Boleyn Ground. This location is significant. Moore, Hurst, and Peters played for West Ham during the 1966 World Cup. The statue commemorates West Ham’s contribution to England’s victory.
Newham Council and West Ham United jointly commissioned the World Cup Sculpture. Royal Sculptor Philip Jackson created it. Prince Andrew unveiled it in 2003. He was president of the Football Association. Jackson also sculpted the Bobby Moore statue at the new Wembley Stadium. It opened in 2007.
The Champions is one-and-a-half times life-size. It’s 16 feet tall. It weighs four tonnes. The World Cup Sculpture is at the junction of Barking Road and Green Street. This is near Upton Park.
The World Cup Sculpture was inspired by photographs taken after the 1966 World Cup final. These photos captured a 12-second period of celebration. The Football Association described it as “one of the enduring post-match images”.
Jackson took some artistic license. Ray Wilson was grimacing in the photo. He supported most of Moore’s weight. Jackson didn’t depict this. He said, “I didn’t think he would mind.” Wilson later said he was just helping lift Bobby. Otherwise, he would have been celebrating elsewhere.
Newham councillor Graeme Cambage had the idea for the World Cup Sculpture. He wanted a statue of Bobby Moore after Moore died. The project took a long time to realize.
The World Cup Sculpture cost £725000. £400000 came from a Government grant. The football club provided the remainder. The cost included street improvements. Contributions also came from other sources.
The statue project was announced on October 18 2001. Newham Council leader Sir Robin Wales and West Ham chairman Terry Brown held a ceremony. Hurst, Peters, and Wilson viewed a miniature model of the statue. The statue took a year to complete.
Prince Andrew unveiled the World Cup Sculpture on April 28 2003. This was on the tenth anniversary of Moore’s death. Hurst, Peters, Wilson, and Moore’s widow Stephanie attended the unveiling. Prince Andrew inadvertently referred to Moore as “Sir Bobby”.
There was a proposal to move the statue. It would have gone to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2016. However, the council decided to keep it in its original location in 2018.
West Ham commissioned a new statue for the London Stadium in 2020. It features Moore, Hurst, and Peters in a similar pose. This pose is from the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final victory.
Paul Hayward described the World Cup Sculpture as “stunning”. He said it transforms a road junction into a shrine. It honors England’s finest hour and West Ham’s contribution.
The World Cup Sculpture stands as a testament. It is a testament to a historic victory. It also honors the players who made it possible. It reminds us of the pride and passion. These are the things that football inspires. Take a moment to appreciate this tribute. It is a tribute to English football history.