By dixon9
February 13 2010

At 56, former Chelsea goalkeeper Petar Borota sadly passed away in Italy earlier today. Borota will be fondly remembered by Chelsea fans from the John Neal era as a spectacular yet eccentric, erratic player who in the space of minutes could do something apparently suicidal and follow this up with a save that nobody had the right to make.

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Borota signed in 1979 for a reported £70,000 from Partizan Belgrade making his debut against Liverpool in a 0-0 draw. 

I recently saw an interview with him from an old “The Big Match” where he was asked how he felt about playing in the English league after leaving the then Yugoslavia; the interviewer (may have been Brian Moore himself) was expecting a reply of something like “Well, I hope I can make this big step up in this higher standard league” but instead was told that he was a professional footballer with a lot of experience so of course he didn’t anticipate any problems – what did he expect?!  Typical of the total confidence Borota had in himself, totally unfazed (or perhaps oblivious!) of the potential extra dangers involved.

Borota made 114 appearances for us and he was voted Chelsea player of the year in 1981 after keeping 16 clean sheets.

Borota really did fit the stereo-type of a “mad Serb”.  I remember him taking throw-ins to speed-up play (even though there were opposition attackers close by!) before scampering back to guard his goal-mouth, dribbling up field towards the half-way line, coming miles off his line to direct play and shout at his team-mates (Wiki says he used throw the ball against the crossbar sometimes before taking goal-kicks – I don’t remember that – but I may well have decided to blot if from my memory or simply have refused to acknowledge what I had just seen!) but as I said before, I had seen him make some absolutely superb saves.

Chelsea fans from his time at the club will be deeply saddened by the loss of such a character.  He was a main ingredient of an up and down, nostalgic and yet enjoyable era of our club – he was “proper Chelsea”. 

RIP Petar.

Ex-Chelsea keeper Petar Borota dies today

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 13/02/2010 00:09

50 Years Over 100 Years
13/02/2010 00:09

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Alex54
13/02/2010 00:54

Amazing goalkeeper! RIP Petar.

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Batfastard
13/02/2010 03:33

Although I'm a Leeds fan, I remember him well. A real character.

R.I.P.

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Since 66
13/02/2010 07:13

That is really sad
You are right Dixon
Eccentric but brilliant. A man who can pull off great saves against Liverpool, but let in SIX at Rotherhan (I was there) 3-0 down inside 15 minutes.

Petar RIP

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tyger
13/02/2010 09:01

Borota was my real idol from teenage years.I'm very sad.He never been common,but foolish in his distinctive way.
RIP LEGEND.
Partizan fan.

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carefree
13/02/2010 09:13

Shocked, RIP Mr Borota the bravest goal keeper ever who once saved a shot with his face you cant be harder or braver than that.

We all loved you Petar.

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Barney1961
13/02/2010 10:06

RIP Petar you were a true Chelsea legend
Thanks for the memories. From a fan of the eighties when we had loyal players not mercenaries.
Barney

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Jonathan Winsky
13/02/2010 11:14

Very sad news.



Click here to read why I sensationally sacrificed the big bucks of Chelsea for the adventure of Watford

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(image on left not representative of how relative my support of Watford is to my support of Middlesex)

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Since 66
13/02/2010 17:57

Well done Cardiff for respecting and joining in with the minutes applause for Petar.



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Since 66
13/02/2010 18:00

True conversation between a CFCUK representative and Neil Barnett (Chelsea TV presenter and pitchside announcer)

CFCUK: Did you know Petar Borota is dead?

Barnett: No.... I will ring you back

(Barnett rings back)

Barnett: His facebook status hasn't been updated

CFCUK: Thats because he is dead

TRUE STORY. Just proves what an idiot Barnett is!!!!



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dixon9
13/02/2010 18:02

"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.

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carefree
13/02/2010 19:26

Quote:

Since 66
Well done Cardiff for respecting and joining in with the minutes applause for Petar.

Hear Hear

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Since 66
25/02/2010 15:09

Men & Motors on channel 178 are showing The Big Match Revisited series.

The game being featured is Chelsea v Liverpool (4/3/1979) - the late great Petar Borota's debut.



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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:25:15:23:28 by Since 66.

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Since 66
25/02/2010 15:29

Also making his debut that day as a sub was Jim Docherty a £50,000 signing from East Stirling.

That save from Dalglish. Borota was sensational



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Since 66
25/02/2010 15:37

Tommy Langley hit the post as did Micky Nutton and Garry Stanley had a shot cleared off the line.

That day I was in the East Stand Upper

Ron Harris got booked for kicking McDermotts ankle after the ball had gone.

Top stuff


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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:25:15:38:12 by Since 66.

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