KING OF STAMFORD BRIDGE

By Since66
March 1 2009

Three years ago today news broke that the King of Stamford Bridge had died at the age of 59. Ossie was attending a family funeral when he collapsed. He died a short time later in hospital. I was at work that day, at my work bench sorting out some bits and pieces when I stood motionless listening to the news report on the radio.

In the next minute I found myself in the loo, with tears streaming down my face, feeling shocked and very dazed.

Stupid really I didn't know the man, I just knew him as a player that I had adorned from the moment I started supporting Chelsea back in 1966.

Struggling to compose myself I had to return to work and no sooner had I walked out of the loo a few of the print boys asked me what was wrong. When I told them they were shocked too!!

I had been very fortunate to meet my idol and speak with him on a couple of occasions and my brother-in-law was lucky enough to be on the same football field as him, when Ossie was running football camps for the kids on the Isle of Wight. I wasn't so lucky as they wouldn't let me play in goal. Oh what I would have given to be between the 'sticks' and face a volley from the King.

Ossie and his striking partner and best mate, the late great Ian Hutchinson, once owned a pub in Windsor called The Union Inn. They were very hospitable and welcomed Chelsea fans with open arms - no wonder the pub went bust.

Ossie had style, skill, he scored an abundance of goals - 150 in total and made 380 appearances. He was flambouyant and played hard not only on the pitch but also off it. He had a superstar appeal down the Kings Road.

There are loads of memories I can recall about the King, but here are a few that really stick in the mind.

1970 Ossie scored in every round of the FA Cup including the final with his magnificent diving header from Charlie Cooke's run and chip.

1971 Scoring in the European Cup Winners Cup final against Real Madrid

Against Jeunesse Hautcharage, from Luxembourg. Ossie scored EIGHT times against the minnows over two legs including one with his knee at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won the tie 21-0 and the aggregate score is still a European record today.

Scoring against Bob Wilson and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge with a thunderous volley.

There are so many more memories, so many stories of how Ossie touched the hearts of Chelsea fans and how many Chelsea fans wanted to be Ossie when they had a kickabout in the park.

Ossie's ashes are interred beneath the penalty spot at The Shed End of the Stamford Bridge pitch, I cannot think of a more appropriate spot for Ossie to lay.

'Out from the Shed came a rising young star,

Scoring goals past Pat Jennings from near and from far,

And Chelsea won as we knew that they would,

And the star of that great team was Peter Osgood,

Osgood, Osgood, Osgood, Osgood,

Born is the King of Stamford Bridge.'

Remembering Peter Osgood-King of Stamford Bridge

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 01/03/2009 15:15

50 Years Over 100 Years
01/03/2009 15:15

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

bluestar123
01/03/2009 15:43

I remember listening to an interview he gave on the radio. He said his best footballing experiences and fondest memories were whilst playing for Southampton. It really @#$%& me off and I could never warm to him after that. He knew he was idolised by all at Chelsea, and it was us fans that continued to provide him with a more than comfortable lifestyle. He was no king to me!

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
02/03/2009 11:59

Maybe he said that at the time of his acrimonious relationship with Bates?

Anyway...

I was fortunate enough to see him play although I was very young at the time.

Always a real legend in my opinion - when he died it was like a part of Chelsea died and I´m not ashamed to say I shed tears - even now, thinking about him makes me well up.

Still, it´s nice to reflect on the good times he helped give us.



.



"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.

Reply Quote Report

john parry
20/07/2009 20:19

ossie loved chelsea thru and thru, i know this he was a mate of mine, the real reason for the pub ending was not about it going bust, thre were other reasons

Reply Quote Report

dixon9
21/07/2009 23:53

Of a personal or senstitive type...?



"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.

Reply Quote Report

Message List Search Log In

Your Name:
Subject:

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net