Post by Taxigirl on Mar 2, 2006 9:39:19 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4763024.stm
PETER OSGOOD FACTFILE
Born: 20 Feb 1947
CLUB STATS
Chelsea (1964-74):
380 games, 150 goals
So'ton (1974-78):
157 games, 36 goals
England:
Four games, 0 goals
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Trophies:
FA Cup 1970 and 1976, Cup Winners' Cup 1971
International debut:
v Belgium, Feb 1970
Chelsea and Southampton legend Peter Osgood has died at the age of 59.
Osgood collapsed while attending a family funeral service on Wednesday at Slough crematorium.
Dubbed the 'King of Stamford Bridge' he made 380 appearances for the Blues and scored 150 goals, helping them win the 1970 FA Cup and 1971 Cup Winners' Cup.
The forward then joined the Saints in 1974 and guided the Second Division club to victory over Manchester United in the 1976 FA Cup final.
Osgood was also a member of England's 1970 World Cup squad and made four appearances for the national side.
A minute's silence in remembrance of Osgood was held before England's friendly against Uruguay at Anfield on Wednesday.
"This is very sad news. Peter Osgood made a wonderful contribution to English football," said FA chief Brian Barwick.
Both Chelsea and Southampton also paid tribute to their former star.
"Affection and esteem for the man the fans titled the King of Stamford Bridge could not be higher. Today is a very sad day indeed," said Chelsea in a statement on their website.
The Saints plan to hold a minute's silence and players will wear black armbands for Saturday's Championship game against Coventry in recognition of both Osgood and former striker Charlie Wayman, who also passed away this week.
Tommy Docherty, the manager who gave Osgood his Chelsea debut in 1964, praised the player's bravery.
"He was a great lad and brought a breath of fresh air every time he came into the dressing room," he told BBC News 24.
"Peter had world-class skill. He was a big lad, great in the air and as brave as a lion. He had all the skill in the world and a great sense of humour."
Former Chelsea defender Ron "Chopper" Harris paid the ultimate tribute to Osgood.
"People will always say the best player at Chelsea has been Gianfranco Zola but I would say Peter was the greatest," he said.
"He was such strong player, a big fellow who scored goals and scared defenders."
Another Southampton legend, Mick Channon, compared him to George Best.
"I can't believe it. This is desperately sad news," Channon told the Saints website.
"He was a great character and a fantastic player. He was out on his own for a few years.
"Probably the only one who could touch him was George Best - he was that good."
Ex-Blues captain Ray Wilkins, who came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge just before Osgood joined Southampton, said: "He was a massive personality, he was quite daunting but we had good times."
And Wilkins is in no doubt that Osgood's ability would have graced today's Premiership. "His first touch was the first thing I noticed," Wilkins added.
"Balls would come up from defenders and he would control it instantly. He was magnificent to watch, sheer elegance.
"Chelsea have had many great footballers and Ossie ranks among the best.
"In the modern-day game he had the attributes required to be a fantastic footballer, his technical ability was second to none on quagmire pitches - on today's bowling greens he would have been exceptional."
Former Chelsea chairman Brian Mears told the BBC: "I was deeply shocked to hear that Peter Osgood had died.
"He was a giant at Chelsea and his goals were legendary, particularly when he scored precious ones in winning the FA Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup for the first time in Chelsea's history.
"This is a sad day indeed for all of us. He will never be forgotten."
Osgood signed amateur forms for Chelsea in 1964 at the age of 17 before agreeing to a professional contract, scoring twice on his debut against Workington in a fifth-round League Cup tie replay.
The crafty forward also scored in every round of the 1970 FA Cup including the replay of the final that the Blues won 2-1 at the expense of Leeds.
The following year Osgood's Chelsea beat Spanish giants Real Madrid to win the European Cup Winners' Cup.
The Windsor-born star also scored for the Blues in the final of the 1972 League Cup final, but his side went down 2-1 to Stoke City.
Osgood came close to joining Stoke after talks with manager Tony Waddington but Southampton boss Lawrie McMenemy persuaded the 27-year-old to go to the south coast after a transfer fee of £275,000 was agreed with the Blues.
He enjoyed more success in the FA Cup as the Saints overcame the might of United 1-0 with a goal from Bobby Stokes.
Osgood tried his luck in the United States with Philadelphia Fury before coming back to Stamford Bridge for a short second spell with Chelsea.
Many were surprised that he appeared only four times for England's senior squad.
His international debut came against Belgium in 1970 before going on to make substitute appearances at the World Cup.
After hanging up his boots, Osgood was involved in football-related media work and was well known on the after-dinner speaker circuit.
He had also been working for the club on the hospitality side of things on match days.
A SAD LOSS FOR FOOTBALL, A GREAT FOR CHELSEA WHEN THEY WERE CHELSEA.
PETER OSGOOD FACTFILE
Born: 20 Feb 1947
CLUB STATS
Chelsea (1964-74):
380 games, 150 goals
So'ton (1974-78):
157 games, 36 goals
England:
Four games, 0 goals
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Trophies:
FA Cup 1970 and 1976, Cup Winners' Cup 1971
International debut:
v Belgium, Feb 1970
Chelsea and Southampton legend Peter Osgood has died at the age of 59.
Osgood collapsed while attending a family funeral service on Wednesday at Slough crematorium.
Dubbed the 'King of Stamford Bridge' he made 380 appearances for the Blues and scored 150 goals, helping them win the 1970 FA Cup and 1971 Cup Winners' Cup.
The forward then joined the Saints in 1974 and guided the Second Division club to victory over Manchester United in the 1976 FA Cup final.
Osgood was also a member of England's 1970 World Cup squad and made four appearances for the national side.
A minute's silence in remembrance of Osgood was held before England's friendly against Uruguay at Anfield on Wednesday.
"This is very sad news. Peter Osgood made a wonderful contribution to English football," said FA chief Brian Barwick.
Both Chelsea and Southampton also paid tribute to their former star.
"Affection and esteem for the man the fans titled the King of Stamford Bridge could not be higher. Today is a very sad day indeed," said Chelsea in a statement on their website.
The Saints plan to hold a minute's silence and players will wear black armbands for Saturday's Championship game against Coventry in recognition of both Osgood and former striker Charlie Wayman, who also passed away this week.
Tommy Docherty, the manager who gave Osgood his Chelsea debut in 1964, praised the player's bravery.
"He was a great lad and brought a breath of fresh air every time he came into the dressing room," he told BBC News 24.
"Peter had world-class skill. He was a big lad, great in the air and as brave as a lion. He had all the skill in the world and a great sense of humour."
Former Chelsea defender Ron "Chopper" Harris paid the ultimate tribute to Osgood.
"People will always say the best player at Chelsea has been Gianfranco Zola but I would say Peter was the greatest," he said.
"He was such strong player, a big fellow who scored goals and scared defenders."
Another Southampton legend, Mick Channon, compared him to George Best.
"I can't believe it. This is desperately sad news," Channon told the Saints website.
"He was a great character and a fantastic player. He was out on his own for a few years.
"Probably the only one who could touch him was George Best - he was that good."
Ex-Blues captain Ray Wilkins, who came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge just before Osgood joined Southampton, said: "He was a massive personality, he was quite daunting but we had good times."
And Wilkins is in no doubt that Osgood's ability would have graced today's Premiership. "His first touch was the first thing I noticed," Wilkins added.
"Balls would come up from defenders and he would control it instantly. He was magnificent to watch, sheer elegance.
"Chelsea have had many great footballers and Ossie ranks among the best.
"In the modern-day game he had the attributes required to be a fantastic footballer, his technical ability was second to none on quagmire pitches - on today's bowling greens he would have been exceptional."
Former Chelsea chairman Brian Mears told the BBC: "I was deeply shocked to hear that Peter Osgood had died.
"He was a giant at Chelsea and his goals were legendary, particularly when he scored precious ones in winning the FA Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup for the first time in Chelsea's history.
"This is a sad day indeed for all of us. He will never be forgotten."
Osgood signed amateur forms for Chelsea in 1964 at the age of 17 before agreeing to a professional contract, scoring twice on his debut against Workington in a fifth-round League Cup tie replay.
The crafty forward also scored in every round of the 1970 FA Cup including the replay of the final that the Blues won 2-1 at the expense of Leeds.
The following year Osgood's Chelsea beat Spanish giants Real Madrid to win the European Cup Winners' Cup.
The Windsor-born star also scored for the Blues in the final of the 1972 League Cup final, but his side went down 2-1 to Stoke City.
Osgood came close to joining Stoke after talks with manager Tony Waddington but Southampton boss Lawrie McMenemy persuaded the 27-year-old to go to the south coast after a transfer fee of £275,000 was agreed with the Blues.
He enjoyed more success in the FA Cup as the Saints overcame the might of United 1-0 with a goal from Bobby Stokes.
Osgood tried his luck in the United States with Philadelphia Fury before coming back to Stamford Bridge for a short second spell with Chelsea.
Many were surprised that he appeared only four times for England's senior squad.
His international debut came against Belgium in 1970 before going on to make substitute appearances at the World Cup.
After hanging up his boots, Osgood was involved in football-related media work and was well known on the after-dinner speaker circuit.
He had also been working for the club on the hospitality side of things on match days.
A SAD LOSS FOR FOOTBALL, A GREAT FOR CHELSEA WHEN THEY WERE CHELSEA.
