BORN IS THE KING OF STAMFORD BRIDGE
RIP OSSIE
By 40 Years A Blue
March 1 2006
What do you do and where do you start to write about a legend that became a part of my generation of Chelsea fans growing up?
Peter Osgood who had only just turned 59, died today of a heart attack whilst attending the funeral of a family member. I heard the news at 3.30pm this afternoon and have been in 'shock' since. I even wept a tear or two I must admit and writing this I am starting to get overwhelmed again. Peter Osgood, 'Born is the King of Stamford Bridge' hero of the 1970 FA Cup replay (the first ever FA Cup replay) with his diving header from a dazzling Charlie Cooke run equalising an earlier Mick Jones goal. His goals that helped Chelsea to reach that final by scoring in every round. Then there was his goalscoring prowess in the Cup Winners Cup final against Real Madrid the following season when he scored in the final and in the final replay a couple of days later. And in the League Cup final (Chelsea's third final in successive years) against Stoke City at Wembley he scored the equaliser before Chelsea went down 2-1. Probably the three most successful years (before now and 1955) in Chelsea's past history. What about his aggregate total of eight goals scored against Jeunesse Hautcharage of Luxembourg in the 21-0 aggregate win against the minnows. He scored three out in Luxembourg and in the second leg at Stamford Bridge scored five of which one came off his knee. The Bruges ECWC Quarter-Final at Stamford Bridge, 2-0 down from the first leg, his double got Chelsea through to the semi-final winning 4-2 on aggregate after extra-time. It was only a couple of weeks ago against Liverpool in the 2-0 Premiership win that as a Chelsea Legend he walked around the Stamford Bridge pitch at half-time to receive and milk the deserved applause of old and new Chelsea supporters. The man was a legend and will ALWAYS Be King. Peter Osgood, born 1947 made his Chelsea debut aged 17 on November 11th 1964 against Swansea Town in the League Cup scoring twice on his debut. This was his one and only game for the Blues that season. The following season he played 47 times for Chelsea scoring eleven goals. Not bad for an eighteen year old. In two spells for Chelsea, Ossie played 380 games and scored 150 goals. Only Bobby Tambling and Kerry Dixon have scored more goals for Chelsea. I have met Ossie on a few occasions and found the man likeable in every way. I even played football with him when he did a stint of coaching for a well known holiday camp on the Isle of Wight. I have drunk with the man and his good, late friend and co-goalscorer Ian Hutchinson when they owned a pub together in Windsor. Once when I managed to get myself and '17 Years A Blue' into the players lounge with some help, Ossie was there and extremely amiable. Not only was Ossie a Chelsea Legend and the 'King of Stamford Bridge,' he was a nice bloke too. Our deepest thoughts and sincere condolences go out to Ossie's wife Linda, their children, family and friends at this sad time. R.I.P OSSIE BORN IS KING OF STAMFORD BRIDGE! Imagine the heavens now, Ossie and Besty re-united!!!! Repeating the chaos of the King's Road days! 40 YEARS A BLUE!