‘Sometimes he can’t remember my name’ - Martin Peters’ daughter describes the Norwich City legend’s battle with Alzheimer’s

Martin Peters (Image: Archant)

The midfielder, who played more than 200 times for the Canaries between 1975 and 1980, hasn't been to any of the celebration events this year marking 50 years since he was part of the England team which won the World Cup.

Martin's daughter Leann, 50, told the Sunday Mirror: 'Dad hasn't been to any of the 1966 celebration dinners so far. We had to pull him out. The stress was too much.'

She said her father, who lives in Essex, 'doesn't really understand it any more'.

'His Alzheimer's is getting advanced. Sometimes he can't remember my name,' she said. 'That's one of the most painful things. Of course we cry sometimes, but not in front of dad.

1966 England World Cup star Martin Peters at Waveney Youth FC, Lowestoft in 2012. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: © Archant 2012)

'We don't talk about it in front of him either. He wouldn't admit he has dementia. If we say that to him he says 'there's nothing wrong with me'.'

Leann said she still takes her father to West Ham games – the club he played for more than 300 times from 1959 to 1970.

'Every time we pass the statue of him with Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst, he points to it and tells us that it's him,' she said.

'The minute he climbs the steps to his seat, he turns back into our dad. He sings I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles and waves to the crowd.

Martin Peters in action for Norwich. Photo: EDP Library (Image: Archant)

'Those are the good moments, the ones that still make us smile. But he's not the same person.'

Peters, who was twice Norwich City's player of the season in 1976 and 1977, finished his playing career at Gorleston in the early 80s.

The 72-year-old was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease three years ago.

Martin Peters in his Norwich City heyday. Photo: EDP Library (Image: Archant)