FORMER West Ham goalkeeper Peter Grotier fought back tears on the sight of his most treasured piece of football memorabilia after it was restored on The Repair Shop.
The football legend acquired emotional over a 50-yr-previous memento from his heyday throughout his look on final week’s episode of the BBC present.
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Peter, 72, performed for West Ham United from 1969 to 1974. During that point, he performed in what he calls one of many best matches of his profession.
In 1970, proper after Brazil gained the World Cup, Peter and his West Ham teammates flew out to New York for an exhibition match towards Brazilian football membership Santos FC and he was surrounded by football legends.
He performed alongside his hero Sir Bobby Moore and they confronted off towards his different footballing hero, Pelé.
Peter recalled the time fondly. He revealed: “I’m 19 years of age and I’m flying out in a jumbo jet out to New York, and I’m going to play against the greatest goal-scorer that’s ever been.”
During the match, Peter defended the web for your entire first half and the primary minute of the second half and was thrilled to get to see his hero in motion. He didn’t even thoughts when Pelé acquired two objectives previous him.
The match ended with a 2-2 draw and a particular assembly between Peter and his hero. And, he ended up with a particular memento to recollect the say – a programme from that match which Pelé had signed for him.
But, sadly, over time, the souvenir had light and grow to be more and more fragile and unstable so he determined to take it to The Repair Shop.
On the present, Peter admitted: “The reason why it got in such a bad condition was because my family, we moved around to eight different houses, so it was packed away and folded, something I should never have done.”
Thankfully, The Repair Shop’s paper conservator, Angelina Bakalarou, was in a position to restore the programme to its former glory.
The transformation made Peter fairly emotional.
“Oh, wow! Oh, wow!” he reacted upon seeing the restored programme.
“Yeah, that’s unbelievable. I actually feel I can open it now without – fantastic,” he stated, getting a greater have a look at the programme.
After analyzing it intently, he stated: “The signature hasn’t been broken in any respect. That seems actually good, actually good.
“Of all the things I’ve kept, this is the one that means the most to me,” Peter added.
The former footballer began to effectively up and fought back tears as he recalled the “good memories” that the programme evokes.
“Just picking that up, I could see myself standing on the touchline before we went out to play.”
“It was a big thing in my life to play in that game and it all comes flooding back now. So, thank you very much.”
Angelina appeared equally emotional at Peter’s phrases and was touched when the previous West Ham star shared his plans to go away his cherished memento to his 17-yr-previous grandson Joseph, who has promised to by no means promote it.
Joseph has adopted in his grandfather’s footsteps by captaining the Essex aspect Wivenhoe Town FC Under-18s.
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