Peter Bonetti: 1941 – 2020.  

Peter Bonetti aka “The Cat”, a player who was before my time but that hasn’t stopped his legacy continuing from his debut 60 years ago. The sad news that Peter, the former Chelsea & England Goalkeeper passed away aged 78.

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A lot of people know who Peter Bonetti was but in a tribute to the great, only right we at 190FIVE and fellow fans look at just some of his career highlights.
Rewind to 1960, the young prospect who was currently playing for Reading was signed by manager Ted Drake & Chelsea FC.

Maybe Peter would never have made the switch if it wasn’t for his mother, who had written to Ted Drake asking for Peter to be given a trial. Maybe we should give it a go? 

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At the young age of just 18, Peter made his first team debut in March 1960. In true Bonetti fashion, he kept a clean sheet, the first of 208 to come. Shortly after, he helped Chelsea win the FA Youth Cup.

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The 60-61 season saw Bonetti make the number one goalkeeping spot his. A position he was going to hold for just under a staggering 20 years!
The 61-62 season wasn’t as smooth. Peter & Chelsea faced relegation into div two. This saw the appointment of Tommy Docherty as manager

Bonetti emerged as a key figure in a talented young side which included Bobby Tambling, Terry Venables, John Hollins and Barry Bridges. 
Even with such talent on show, Peter continued to shine above the rest and helped Chelsea win promotion back to Division one.

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Peter made a last minute save in the penultimate game of the season where Chelsea faced Sunderland. The Blues, thanks to Peter’s last minute save, won 1-0.

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In '65, Peter’s place in the team came under pressure when Chelsea signed Alex Stepney from Millwall. Peter was thinking about putting in a transfer request but there was no need to worry for “the cat”, Stepney played one game before making the move to Manchester United.

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Chelsea would be grateful they didn’t let Bonetti go as he had what potentially was his best game for the club in the 1970 FA Cup Final against reigning champions, Leeds United. Back then, the Cup Final was played over two legs. 

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Chelsea were struggling against the constant attacking of Leeds but Bonetti had a blinder of a game helping Chelsea to a 2-2 draw. 
The second leg at Old Trafford went underway and shortly into the game Bonetti suffered a knee injury after a collision with Mick Jones.

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Bonetti returned to the field but carried the injury throughout the duration of the game. He saw it out and made crucial saves throughout the match, denying both Peter Lorimer and Terry Cooper.

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He helped the blues take it into extra-time where they won 2-1. Due to constant performances like that throughout the season, he was voted runner-up in the FWA Footballer of the Year awards.

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Peter left Chelsea in 1975 for him to return a year later. That year he helped Eddie McCreadie and Chelsea gain promotion in 1976-77. He played his last game for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal. 

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Honours
• 2nd Division Promoted 62-63 76-77
• League Cup 64-55
 • FA Cup 69-70 
• UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup 1971 
• FA Youth Cup 59

• 729 Appearances 
• 208 Clean Sheets

I would like to express my condolences to Peter’s family & friends in what I’m sure is a devastating time. Rest In Peace to not one of the greats, but THE GREAT.

Written by @CFC_CHRIS_

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