Pensioner who beat 1966 World Cup legend Bobby Moore, heading to Qatar

A pensioner who once beat some England 1966 football heroes in a pub match almost 40 years ago has signed up to volunteer at this year’s World Cup in Qatar. 

Martyn Lewis played as a striker in an exhibition match against a team featuring Bobby Moore and George Cohen in an exhibition match in Dubai in 1984. 

Although the England legends had retired from playing professional football by then, the 75-year-old retired telecoms executive said they were still incredibly tough to play against. 

Mr Lewis, who lives in Greenwich, said: “Even though it was a good few years after the famous World Cup victory in 1966, the quality of the players we faced was unbelievable. 

“I remember losing the ball a couple of times, and trying to win it back was an impossible task – they were running rings around us. 

“As an attacker up against one of the best centre backs in the history of the sport, I was a bit star struck, which probably hindered my performance.” 

Mr Lewis was aged 37 when he was living and working in Dubai. He came on as a substitute for the Red Lion Dubai pub team at half-time in the game, organised by the Dubai authorities for the England legends tour to promote football in the country.

They went on to beat the Three Lions – who also featured former England players Peter Osgood, Mike Summerbee and Colin Bell – 4-2. 

Almost 40 years after that memorable game, Mr Lewis will be part of a team of 20,000 volunteers at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in three months. 

The keen amateur footballer led a team of ticketing volunteers throughout the last World Cup in Russia, and appeared as a flagbearer on the pitch before England’s final group game against Belgium. 

Mr Lewis said: “Out of all the events I’ve volunteered at, the best experience has been at the last World Cup. Standing on the pitch as the likes of Marcus Rashford, Trent Alexander-Arnold and John Stones ran out was something I’ll never forget, and hopefully this year I’ll be able to do something similar in Qatar. 

“One thing’s for certain – I’ll continue my tradition of taking a football to Doha with me in case there’s time for any impromptu kickabouts with other volunteers.” 

His appearance in Qatar will come 44 years after he played a key role in the opening of the Al Nasr Stadium in Dubai in 1978.

He was referee for the stadium’s first match between Bob Paisley’s Liverpool and Al Nasr, a Dubai team managed by the former England and Leeds United manager Don Revie.

Mr Lewis said: “I got to know both of them well in the evening after the match, and it was an honour to share a pitch with the likes of Emlyn Hughes, Ray Clemence and Alan Hansen. I’ve been a fan of Liverpool ever since.”

Pictured top: Martyn Lewis flag-bearing at the 2018 World Cup (Picture: Martyn Lewis)