"THOSE who paid to watch Kev play certainly got their money's worth – he never short-changed anyone."
The words of Dave Moore in tribute to his brother Kevin after the Grimsby Town legend passed away this week.
Kevin, who made over 400 appearances for the Mariners, died on Monday – his 55th birthday – after a long battle with Pick's Disease, a rare form of dementia.
Dave, who played alongside his younger brother and now works as the club's physio, described him as one of the best – both on and off the field.
"Obviously Kev had been ill for a long time and the disease that he had was progressive and deteriorating," he said.
"But his wife Mandy spoke to the family last week and said that he had taken a turn for the worse, so we all travelled to Southampton to see him.
"It was nice that all of the family were able to say our last goodbyes.
"I'll always remember him as a really kind, considerate brother and a top, top player for Grimsby Town – one of the best," he added.
One of five from the same family to play for Town, Kevin signed for the club just days after finishing his A-levels and soon found himself thrust into the Mariners' first team.
A winger-turned-defender, he was an ever-present during the club's Division Four promotion season and only missed five games the following term as Town marched to the Third Division title.
After a rumoured move to Bob Paisley's Liverpool side failed to materialise, Kevin left Blundell Park to join Oldham Athletic in 1987 before going on to play for Southampton, Bristol Rovers and Fulham.
Dave added: "Fans describe footballers as 'great players' and for me, there are different levels – you can be a great player for your Sunday League team or you can be a great player in the World Cup finals.
"One thing's for sure – everywhere he went in his career, Kev was a great player. Whoever paid to watch him play certainly got their money's worth.
"I remember speaking to him after he played against Manchester United for Southampton.
"I said to him, 'Who was playing up front for them'. He replied, 'I don't know really – that Welsh kid' and I'd answer 'Mark Hughes!'
"Then I asked him about who was playing in midfield. 'I don't know, some narky little Irish lad', he said – that was Roy Keane.
"That was Kev, if Arsenal and Manchester United were playing in his backyard, he wouldn't look out of his window! He wasn't overawed by anyone and he just played his own game."
He continued: "Kev gave his absolute best time after time after time.
"He didn't always play great but he never short-changed anyone in terms of effort and commitment."
Dave added: "I remember standing outside Grimsby College with him at the age of 15 and 16 with lads like Tony Ford, Terry Donovan, Kev Drinkell, waiting for the bus for our Reserve games.
"They were great days. We were a local bunch of lads playing together for our local team – it was a fabulous time."
Kevin leaves behind his wife Mandy and two children – Tom and Sophie.
If you would like to make a donation to the fight against Pick's Disease, you can do so by sending a cheque to the Kevin Moore Benefit Fund, 1 St Simon Close, Locks Heath, Southampton SO31 6DH.
