Roma 1965 - Docherty´s Chelsea
Chelsea Roma 1965
By dixon9
October 21 2008
Tomorrow Roma at the Bridge in the CL - the first time we have played them in European competition in over 40 years! In 1965 we played the Italian club in the Fairs Cup - two memorable legs for very different reasons but even more memorable was the manager we had at the time and the team of very special youngsters that he nutured (actually, make that "chucked them in the deep end!) personally
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“Docherty’s Diamonds” was what the press called them, and got a 0-0 away and a 4-1 home win against the Italians. By all accounts the away leg was a torrid affair with stones being thrown at the players, Roma fans keeping the players awake outside their hotel, the coach driver deliberately getting them lost on the way to the stadium for training etc etc (you get the picture?!)…But we certainly gave them a royal blue stuffing at the Bridge!
Docherty was a supreme motivator and was responsible for bringing on our youth and reserves to form a formidable side of youngsters in those days – just look at these names: Terry Venables, Bobby Tambling, Peter Bonetti, Barry Bridges, Peter Osgood, Charlie Cooke, Ron Harris, Peter Bonetti, John Hollins…he also brought in a young George Graham who had only managed 8 appearances in 3 seasons for Aston Villa.
He won promotion at the first attempt and then finished 5th in Division 1 next season. Then the League Cup in 64-65 season along with the semis of the FA Cup but threw the league away by sticking to his principles after sending eight players home who had broken a curfew before a crucial match against Burnley with us just 2 points behind league leaders Man Utd.
FA and Fairs Cup semis a year later and then an FA Cup final in 67 – close but no cigar I suppose but not bad considering they were his kids – and even better when you consider the legacy he left Sexton…
Then Terry Venables getting the ball for a free kick placing it full stretch on the ground and as the referee turned away spinning round full strectch and grabbing another 3 metres it was classic, and the goal from that free kick, practised to perfection with dummy runs etc, and it ended in a great goal, what a night!!
Carefree Steve (Now downunder)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:10:21:19:40:08 by dixon9.
Quote:I was too young steve but great memories no doubt,what a memory you have considering there wasn't any TV footage and reruns,great stuff.Steve Van Doorn
remember the home leg as if it was yesterday. Eddie Mac getting sent off for planting their winger a right hook, after he had hacked and kicked eddie oll the way down the wing.
Then Terry Venables getting the ball for a free kick placing it full stretch on the ground and as the referee turned away spinning round full strectch and grabbing another 3 metres it was classic, and the goal from that free kick, practised to perfection with dummy runs etc, and it ended in a great goal, what a night!!
Carefree Steve (Now downunder)
I would have loved to have seen Osgood play BEFORE Emlyn Hughes broke his leg for example.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
What changed everything was the mentioned free kick. Venebles placed the ball, gestured (as used to happen) that the wall wasn't 10 yards back and started pacing towards it - marking the length. Getting close he side-stepped to the left of the wall, received the ball and side footed passed a bemused keeper.
The bridge went wild and became the 11th man (in those days the crowd noise was not always the best). The Roma tank spluttered thru' its 5 reverse gears, lost its tracks and got stuck in the mud, while Tommy's Blues ran circles round it .
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
65 was too early for me, but how can you forget 'The Doc' - legend
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