The West Ham legend, known as the Ticker, was best known for scoring the winning goal in an FA Cup final and playing club football alongside members of the England’s 1966 World Cup squad.
Boyce, who died on February 13 at the age of 82, was born in the East End but later made his home in Great Ryburgh, near Fakenham.
He achieved heroic status among West Ham fans during his 342 appearances, and 29 goals, for the club, before retiring in 1972.
A hugely popular figure, his career at West Ham was recognised with the club’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
He also scored what must be considered one of the best goals in the club's history - a 40-yard volley against Manchester City in 1970.
Ronnie Boyce of West HamRonnie Boyce of West Ham (Image: Newsquest)
EARLY LIFE
Born just a short distance from the Boleyn Ground in East Ham in January 1943, Boyce played schoolboy football for England before joining West Ham.
His talent was spotted at junior school and he was selected for the district side, before going on to play for England schoolboys and training with West Ham from the age of 14.
He made his first-team debut in October 1959 in a Southern Floodlight Cup win over Millwall, when he was just 16 years and nine months old.
And at 17, he signed a contract with the only professional club he would ever play for.
Here he made his Football League debut in October 1960 in a 5-2 First Division win over Preston North End.
West Ham's Ronnie Boyce jumps for a headerWest Ham's Ronnie Boyce jumps for a header (Image: Newsquest)
Speaking to this paper back in 2017, Boyce described being "a nervous, weepy kid”.
He said: “I would rather hide in the garden than go to a party.
“My dad had to push me, get me in the car and just make me get on with it. Things could have been so different if it wasn't for my dad. I owe a lot to him.”
His nerves stayed with him throughout his career, and he described being unable to sleep the night before a game. But once that first whistle blew, he was always fine.
THE LIFE OF A FOOTBALLER
While some players at the top tier of English football earn more than £100,000 a week these days, Boyce picked up a weekly salary of £12.
He often played on pitches which resembled mud baths and cited the worst ground he ever experienced as Hillsborough in the 1964 FA Cup semi-final, where he ran with mud up to his ankles.
Boyce scored two goals in that 1964 semi-final against a Manchester United team featuring George Best, Dennis Law and Bobby Charlton.
He described there being “more enjoyment” in sport back then, without as much pressure. He also smoked during his playing days and drank with teammates in the local pub after games.
West Ham United's Ronnie Boyce (c) starts to celebrate as his shot beats Manchester United goalkeeper Albert Gaskell (r) for West Ham's second goalWest Ham's Ronnie Boyce (c) starts to celebrate as his shot beats Manchester United goalkeeper Albert Gaskell (r) for West Ham's second goal (Image: Alpha) He would always say 1964 was the best year of his life due to scoring the wining goal in the FA Cup final, passing his driving test and getting married.
This became a cheeky phrase that would always get him in trouble with his wife, Dawn, when listed in that order.
Boyce played in what has became known as the "World Cup winning West Ham team" alongside England 1966 heroes Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore and Martin Peters. Hurst was later his best man.
He rated all three as the best players he ever played with, along with Billy Bonds.
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After retiring as a player, he became a key member of the West Ham coaching staff under John Lyall, helping the club win the FA Cup in 1975 and 1980.
And in February 1990, he took over as caretaker manager for one match only.
Boyce also worked as West Ham's chief scout and did some part-time scouting for Millwall, before retiring from football and moving to Norfolk.
A statement from West Ham said: “The thoughts of everyone at West Ham United are with Ronnie’s family, friends, teammates and all who had the good fortune of knowing a true Hammers great at this very sad time.”
Ronnie Boyce's souvenir West Ham programmes, one from the 1964 FA Cup Final against Preston, right, and the other from the Cup Winners Cup in 1965 against TSV Munich 1860Ronnie Boyce's souvenir West Ham programmes. One from the 1964 FA Cup Final against Preston, right, and the other from the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1965 against 1860 Munich (Image: Denise Bradley)
NORFOLK DREAMS
From 2003, Boyce and his wife lived in Great Ryburgh, near Fakenham, with their sons and grandsons living nearby.
He fell in love with Norfolk’s countryside after visiting on many holidays, Norwich and Cromer being up there with some of his favourite places.
He continued to enjoy football, spending time watching local teams as well as playing for grassroot squads and Fakenham Town.
Ronnie Boyce played with West Ham before retiring in Great RyburghRonnie Boyce played with West Ham before retiring in Great Ryburgh (Image: Denise Bradley)
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A statement on behalf of his family said: “He fought illness in recent years with typical courage, bravery and no fuss, and with such strength.
"His nickname of ‘Ticker’, as the strong heartbeat of West Ham’s team in the 1960s, could not have been more appropriate.
“He never boasted about his wonderful playing career or achievements, but he was so proud of the fact that he scored the winning goal in West Ham United’s first-ever FA Cup victory, and his love of the club and the supporters meant so much to him.
“As a family, we were even prouder of the love, support and dedication he gave us all, and of the quiet, honest, decent man that he was.
"We will miss him greatly and he will never be forgotten.”
Ronnie Boyce died on February 13, and his funeral was held at the end of March.
He leaves behind his wife, sons Gary and Tony, daughter-in-laws Ewa and Sarah, and grandsons Ross, Ben, Jack, Elliott and Tom.