A list of all of the appearances of this player in football cards in the period 1965/66 to 1979/80 appears at the foot of this page.

As featured in both the 1967/68 and 1968/69 FKS albums, The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 312 (both editions)

1968/69 A&BC Gum
Footballers (yellow backs), No. 13

1969/70 A&BC Gum
Footballers (green backs), No. 114

1970/71 A&BC Gum
Footballers (orange backs), No. 238

1970/71 FKS Publishers,
Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 283

1973/74 FKS Publishers,
Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 259

1973/74 Esso,
Top Team Collection

1976/77 FKS Publishers,
Soccer Stars, No. 4

Martin Peters was born in Plaistow, London on November 8, 1943. He began his football career as an apprentice at West Ham United in 1959, before signing on as a professional in November 1960. This was an era when West Ham were considered to have, on paper, one of the best sides in the league but never quite seemed to challenge for the Division One titles.

Peters made his England debut in May 1966, which makes it more remarkable that he was chosen for, and played a key role in, the World Cup Final victory. The World Cup final was only his 8th cap for England, and he went on to earn 59 more after that.

Peters' first appearance on a football card during the period covered by this site was in 1965/66 when he was featured in the Barratt & Co. A13 series of Famous Footballers.

Peters' role in the July 30th World Cup Final is well known. By scoring the third goal of the game in the 78th minute Peters put England 2-1 ahead. A Geoff Hurst shot had deflected into the air and bounced down into the penalty area. Peters hit a half-volley into the net.

Martin Peters was again featured in the 1966/67 A14 Barratt series and in the A&BC Gum Footballers series (pictured). This card states 'One of the successes of England's World Cup party... Ever ready to come up with the attack he possesses a hard shot, and has scored many vital goals for West Ham'.

The 1967/68 Ty-phoo card states "Joining West Ham from school in 1959 and making his first league appearance in 1962, Martin Peters has made over 170 league appearances for his club so far... He was a member of the West Ham team which won the European Cup-Winners Cup in 1965".

The 1968/69 A&BC Gum yellow back card states "First played for England during the 1966 World Cup, and has held his place in the international team ever since, where his impressive versatility gives him a vital role. The ideal mid field player, Peters has appeared in every position for West Ham, and has gained 17 English caps. Dangerous near goal, he is good with both head and feet".

The 1969/70 FKS album notes "Won his first Under-23 cap before his 19th birthday in 1962. Has 25 full caps and made his League debut v Cardiff City in 1962. Ex-Youth team captain. Unruffled, skilful, invariably midfield".

The 1969/70 A&BC Gum green back card is more effusive: "The most versatile player in the country... Although a wing half, he scores a tremendous number of goals and has a great understanding with (Geoff) Hurst".

In 1970, after more than 300 appearances for West Ham, Peters was transferred to Tottenham Hotspur, prompting the 1970/71 A&BC Gum card to note "Britain's first £200,000 footballer, this was the fee that Tottenham paid West Ham for their World Cup star in March, 1970, in the deal that took Jimmy Greaves to Upton Park. A brilliant mid-field player, he has the unique ability to snatch 'impossible' goals on the blind side of a defence".

Tottenham fans are the best to judge Peters contribution to their team over the period from 1970 to 1975. Certainly they earned no honours in the League, and slipped backwards each year in the period (1970/71 - 3rd, 1971/72 - 6th, 1972/73 - 8th, 1973/74 - 11th, 1974/75 - 19th, missing relegation by 1 point).

In March 1975 Peters moved on from Tottenham to Norwich City in a deal worth only £40,000 (or £50,000 depending on which source you use).

In August 1980 Martin Peters joined Sheffield United as player-manager, but this did not last (they were relegated from Division Three to Four in season 1980/81). He left the club in June 1981 and went into football retirement, joining an insurance company.

During his playing career he made the following league appearances:
West Ham United - 302 games, 80 goals
Tottenham Hotspur - 189 games, 46 goals
Norwich City - 207 games, 44 goals
Sheffield United - 24 games, 4 goals
Total = 722 league games, 174 goals.

Martin Peters played a total of 67 times for England at the full-international level between 1966 and 1974, scoring 20 times. He was awarded an MBE in 1978.

Unquestionably reliable, skillful and dedicated Martin Peters had a remarkably long and successful career in the Football League. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the World Cup win, though perhaps his career which ran as a player in the top flight until August 1980 is appropriate testimony to his contribution to the great game in England.

His attraction to fans of the time is reflected in the number of football card sets which decided to feature him. See the full list below...

Apparently you can hire Martin Peters to speak at your functions - see this link.

1967/68 Ty-phoo Tea,
International Football Stars, No. 21

1969/70 FKS Publishers,
The Wonderful World of Soccer Stars, No. 312

1969/70 A&BC Gum
crinkle-cuts, No. 6

1970/71 A&BC Gum
World Cup Footballers (unnumbered)

1971/72 Cadbury/Hartley,
Jam Jar Lid (unnumbered)

1974/75 A&BC Gum
Footballers (red backs), No. 92

1976/77 Topps Chewing Gum,
Blue/Grey backs, No. 230