Sir Geoff Hurst and Chris Wilder among the many paying tribute to World Cup hero Martin Peters

Martin Peters, second right, next to Geoff Hurst, far right, as England captain Bobby Moore leadsd the World Cup winners around Wembley after beating Germany 4-2 in 1966. Picture: PA.

Sir Geoff Hurst has led the tributes to his World Cup-winning team-mate Martin Peters, who has died at the age of 76.

Martin Peters was the quiet hero and genius in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning ...

Former West Ham and Tottenham midfielder Peters, who scored England’s second goal in the 1966 final against West Germany, died in his sleep on Saturday morning following a long battle against Alzheimer’s disease.

Peters was part of the Hammers trio of captain Bobby Moore and Hurst, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 victory at Wembley, in Sir Alf Ramsey’s side.

Martin Peters, pictured with former Sheffield United manager Harry Haslam in 1981.

He later went on to play for Norwich before arriving at Sheffield United in the summer of 1980 as player-coach under manager Harry Haslam.

He took over the reins in January the following year, but couldn’t prevent relegation to the old Fourth Division, Peters resigning at the end of the season.

Current Blades boss Chris Wilder said: Current United boss Chris Wilder said: “While it wasn’t a great period in our history, to have someone of his stature play, coach and manage the club was quite special.

“His playing career speaks for itself with what he achieved at West Ham, Spurs and of course, most famously, with England. To play in that game in ‘66 and to score - that must have been special.

OLD FRIENDS: Martin Peters, second right, pictured with Sir Geoff Hurst, right, and George Cohen, left and Gordon Banks with the Jules Rimet trophy in January 2016 at the Royal Garden Hotel. Picture: Adam Davy/PA.

“To lose such an iconic player is obviously very sad, and our thoughts are with Martin’s family at this time.”

Hurst wrote on Twitter: “Today is a very sad day for football and for me personally. Martin Peters was one of the all-time greats and a close friend and colleague of mine for in excess of 50 years.

“A fellow World cup final goalscorer and my West Ham partner for years along with Bobby Moore. RIP old friend.”

Martin Peters, during his playing career at Sheffield United during the 1980-81 season.

Peters came through the West Ham academy, having signed as an apprentice in 1959, and went on to help the east London club win the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.

After 364 games and 100 goals, Peters left Upton Park for Tottenham in 1970, becoming Britain’s first £200,000 footballer, in a deal which saw striker Jimmy Greaves head in the opposite direction.

While at White Hart Lane, Peters helped Bill Nicholson’s team lift the League Cup at Wembley in 1971 and again, as captain, in 1973, a season after playing his part in Spurs’ UEFA Cup victory over Wolves.

After being awarded the MBE in 1978 and hanging up his boots in 1981, Peters regularly attended matches at Upton Park as a club ambassador.

In 2016, it was revealed Peters had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, one of several of the 1966 team to be battling dementia.