01/03/2006

Former footballer Peter Osgood dies

Former Chelsea and Southampton footballer Peter Osgood has died suddenly at the age of 59.

Osgood, who turned 59 last week, collapsed while attending a family funeral in Slough. He was taken to Wexham Park hospital where it was later confirmed that he had died.

Peter 'Ossie' Osgood was one of Chelsea's best-loved players. He made his debut for the London club in 1964, but will always be remembered for his equalising goal in the FA Cup Final replay against Leeds at Old Trafford in 1970. His diving header became famous and the Blues went on to win the FA Cup for the first time.

Osgood also remains the last person to have scored in every round of that competition.

The following season, Osgood scored in both the European Cup Winners' Cup Final and Cup Final replay against Real Madrid, whom Chelsea beat to win their first European trophy.

He also scored for the club against Stoke City in the 1972 League Cup Final, although they were defeated 2-1.

Osgood left Chelsea to move to Southampton, joining in 1974 for the record fee of £275,000. He enjoyed more success in the FA Cup with the Saints, winning the trophy in 1976 in a shock 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

Osgood went to the United States for a brief spell in the US with Philadelphia Fury, but returned to Chelsea in 1978, where he is known as 'The King of Stamford Bridge'.

In total, Peter Osgood played 380 games and scored 150 goals for Chelsea and played 157 games for Southampton, scoring 36 goals. He also won four England caps.

Osgood retained his ties with both clubs and both paid tribute to him today. A message on Chelsea's website said: "Chelsea Football Club's 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."

Former Chelsea team-mate Ron 'Chopper' Harris said: "It's a sad day, he was a very good friend of mine for over 30 years. He wsa one of the most gifted players I ever played with at Chelsea."

Southampton club president John Mortimore told the club's web site: "Ossie was a colourful character and a wonderful player who will be sadly missed by us all."

Former Southampton striker Mike Channon also told the web site that it was "desperately sad news". He said: "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 at that time was George Best - he was that good."

Brian Barwick, Chief Executive of the Football Association, said: "This is very sad news. Peter Osgood made a wonderful contribution to English football, playing four times for the national side and serving clubs like Chelsea and Southampton with such great distinction."

There will be a period of silence before England's friendly match against Uruguay at Anfield tonight to pay tribute to both Peter Osgood and former England manager Ron Greenwood who died earlier this month.

(KMcA/GB)




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