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Former Chelsea Goalkeeper Peter Bonetti Passes Away Aged 78

​Chelsea have confirmed that former goalkeeper Peter Bonetti has passed away from long-term illness aged 78.

Nicknamed 'The Cat' for his incredible reflexes, Bonetti made 729 outings for the club - as well as seven for the England national team - winning three major honours with the west London side.

He first claimed a League Cup crown with the Blues in 1965 after beating Leicester 3-2, before then securing the FA Cup five years later with victory over Leeds following a reply. European success would follow, as ​Chelsea saw off ​Real Madrid - again via a replay - in the 1971 European Cup Winners' Cup final.


He was also a member of the glorious 1966 England World Cup squad.

A statement issued on the ​official Chelsea website read: "Chelsea Football Club is hugely saddened to announce the passing today of one of our indisputably all-time great players, Peter Bonetti.

"Our former goalkeeper had been suffering from long-term illness. All at Chelsea wish to send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to Peter’s family and friends.

"Bonetti was a goalkeeping superstar of the 1960s and 1970s. Small for his position on the pitch but with an aura of glamour, he was technically innovative and incredibly plucky. The Cat, as he was widely known, was the reassuring security among many mavericks in a golden era for Chelsea.

"In his professional career he made an incredible 729 appearances for Chelsea. Only his captain, Ron Harris, has represented the club more times. Peter held the record for the most clean sheets as a Chelsea keeper until January 2014, when Petr Cech surpassed him. The two all-time great goalies came to know each other well and had immense mutual respect.

"Peter Bonetti’s position in the pantheon of Chelsea footballing gods is unassailable. He was the Cat who broke the mould, defied the odds, drew the gasps, earned the cheers and got the cream. All in front of an adoring Stamford Bridge."

During his career, Bonetti also turned out for St. Louis Stars, Dundee United and Woking, although it remains his legendary near-20-year spell with Chelsea that he is most fondly remembered for.

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Source : 90min