by Staff Writer
Thursday, 27th March 2025
Hammers legend Ronnie Boyce has been laid to rest close to his final home in Norfolk.
The midfielder, popularly known as 'Ticker' during his heyday dedicated his entire playing career to West Ham United, leaving an indelible mark on its history.
The scorer of the winning goal in the 1964 FA Cup Final, Boyce died last month at the age of 82. And last Friday he was buried at St Andrew’s Church in Great Ryburg.
Attending his funeral alongside Boyce's family were a number of West Ham United stars from yesteryear, including former club physio Rob Jenkins - who played alongside Boyce for East Ham - Sir Trevor Brooking, fellow FA Cup winners Eddie Bovington, Brian Dear and Ken Brown plus Ken Brown, now 91, alongside his son Kenny.
The service was delivered by Reverend Robin Stapleford, while a eulogy was read by Dear - who first played alongside Boyce as an 11-year-old at Brampton School.
"Boycey got the nickname ‘Ticker’ because he just kept everything ticking along – he could have played anywhere on the pitch," Dear told the congregation. "He was one of those players that everyone loved.
"His team-mates, the manager, the staff and the supporters, everyone thought the world of him, because he was so easy going, modest, hard working and reliable. He was just always there without making a fuss or shouting about it. Our quiet hero.
"Boycey was just one of the best. He took everything in his stride. He was good enough to have earned full International honours, or even have moved to a top, top team, but he loved West Ham and was just happy being part of the team. He also loved his role as a coach at the club after he hung up his boots.
"The amount of former players here today shows you how much people thought of him," added Dear. "His team-mates loved him, the players he coached loved him. And we were all lucky to know him.
"People rightly hold Bobby, Martin and Geoff up there as the three greatest we ever produced, because of what they did with England the World Cup. But in West Ham terms, Ronnie Boyce is right up there with them. One of the very, very best.
Legends of '64 - Bovington, Dear & Brown [Image courtesy of The West Ham Years]
"So, as a man, as a friend – well 75 years says it all. And when I last saw him and spent the day with him last year, we were still just two young boys from East Ham."
Other former players in attendance included Peter Grotier, Mick McGiven, Everald La Ronde, George Parris, Paul Allen, Alan Taylor, Alan Dickens, Paul Goddard, Alvin Martin, Bobby Barnes and Keith Robson - while Murray Lyall, son of former manager John Lyall also attended the service.
Boyce is survived by his wife Dawn and their two sons, Gary and Tony.
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