Martin Peters has been described as “a great person” and a “wonderful footballer” by his former West Ham teammates.

Peters, the former West Ham and Tottenham midfielder who scored for England in their 1966 World Cup final win, died on Saturday morning aged 76 after a long battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

“Not only was he fantastic footballer, he was an absolute gentleman,” Harry Redknapp, who spent five years playing alongside Peters for the Hammers, told Sky Sports News.

“He was very quiet, very well-mannered, just a great person. A true legend.

Current West Ham captain Mark Noble said Peters, along with Moore and Hurst, set “the example that we all aspired to follow”.

He added in a statement on the club website: “I’ve never really thought about the fact that Martin wore the number 16 shirt for England in the World Cup final – the same number I wear for West Ham – but it gives me immense pride to have that small link to him in some way.

“He and those 10 other men achieved something that I and every other English footballer have only ever been able to dream about. He will always be an inspiration to every young boy or girl who ever decides to kick a ball and, along with Bobby and Geoff, he will stand as the pinnacle for every academy player here at West Ham United.

“The fact that those three came through together at our club is something that we should forever be proud of. Bobby Moore will always be held up as our greatest shining light, but Martin Peters shone just as brightly.

“As long as I am fortunate enough to be captain of this football club, I will always consider it my duty to make sure that every player who pulls on the claret and blue shirt is aware of what Martin Peters means to West Ham, and I am sure those who follow me will do the same.”