Blair at Moore statue unveiling

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The day after announcing he was stepping down, Mr Blair mingled among English footballing greats, including Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst.

He beamed as the bronze statue was unveiled in a blustery ceremony at Wembley Stadium. The Prime Minister, with his trouser hems flapping round his calves, sat next to Moore's elegant widow Stephanie, who paid a moving tribute to her husband.

Mr Blair made reference to his resignation as he praised everyone who worked on the construction of the much-delayed new stadium.

He said: "I would like to congratulate everybody who has been involved with the new Wembley Stadium. For obvious reasons I might not get another chance to say it and I would like to say it today. At times it must have been a bit of a long wait, but it is absolutely magnificent. It is superb and a great landmark for London and the whole country."

The six-metre statue is located near the entrance of the new stadium and shows Moore standing with one foot on the ball.

Mr Blair said he was just 13 when England claimed their historic 4-2 victory against Germany in 1966. "It was simply one of the most memorable events of my younger days," he said. "No-one ever forgets what they were doing when that extraordinary final was played."

The outgoing Prime Minister said Moore had distinguished himself throughout his life: "If you want a role model in public life, Bobby Moore is a pretty good one to take. He was a true gentleman."

The statue, made by sculptor Philip Jackson, was actually ready this time last year but had to be kept in storage while Wembley was finished. The stadium will host the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United next weekend.

Moore, who played most famously for West Ham as well as England died of cancer in 1993, at the age of 51. He went to Wembley to comment on a game just a few days before his death. His wife Stephanie said she was moved by the likeness of the statue to her husband and said he would have been honoured to be remembered in such a way.