August 29, 1967. Burnley 3 West Ham United 3 in the old First Division. The record books show that West Ham’s goalscorers that day were England’s World Cup heroes Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
However, the fixture was also notable for the senior first-team debut of an 18-year-old local lad by the name of Trevor Brooking.
Little did anyone present at Turf Moor know then that the tall, slim, dark-haired midfielder would go on to make 643 appearances over a period of 17 years, winning two FA Cups, 47 England caps and five Hammer of the Year awards, with his services to the game eventually earning a deserved knighthood.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, Sir Trevor recently made a visit to Chadwell Heath, now the dedicated headquarters of West Ham’s Academy players and staff, and reflected on the day when it all began for him half a century ago.
“Burnley were one of the top sides in the 60s,” recalled Sir Trevor. “The day before, Ron Greenwood pulled me aside and said I would be travelling up to Turf Moor with the squad and starting the game. He told me that he preferred to give young players their debut away from home, without the pressure of the home crowd.
“I played a wider role on the left of midfield against Burnley which, funnily enough, was the case when I first got my chance with England, before moving to my preferred position in the centre.
“It was obviously a big game for me, and a 3-3 draw was a really good result for us up there. Our goalscorers, ironically, were Moore, Hurst and Peters. Not a bad trio!”
Look out for a full interview with Sir Trevor Brooking to mark the 50th anniversary of his West Ham United debut, in the official matchday programme for our opening home game of the season against Huddersfield Town on 11 September…