Barrie

Sorting through dad’s old photo albums, I came across these from his Chelsea days. Dad with his best mate Bob Smith ( later Spurs & England Center forward) both from the north east, loved London & Chelsea. Also training at Stamford Bridge, with club legend Roy Bentley ( dad spoke very highly of as a man), Ron Greenwood ( later West Ham/England manager. Encouraged dad to get his FA coaching qualifications)

Most probably it is Joe Mercer. The Chelsea player on the right wing in the program, Roy Bentley, is the man sitting in the photo with my dad. He is without doubt a Chelsea legend and according to my dad was a super guy, who helped him no end.

Hi everyone, just wanted to pass on the sad news that my dad Len Kell passed away yesterday after a very long battle with Alzheimer’s, he was 91 years old. Although not playing many games for the first team before moving on, he always spoke very fondly of his 6+ years he was at the club , after being brought down from Teeside, as a 17 year old boy. His big mate was another lad from that area called Bob Smith, who went onto great things. They lived in digs opposite the ground in Britannia Rd but both fell out with the then manager Ted Drake and got pushed out. It was fellow Chelsea players Frank Blunstone and Ron Greenwood who encouraged dad to get his coaching badges, which he did, at the same time as Jack Charlton, Bob Paisley and a lad called Lawrie McMenemy on the same course. Although offered coaching jobs in England, took us to live in Australia instead before settling in Norfolk and Suffolk until his death. Chelsea have been very good to dad and it meant a lot being invited back for any game, in hospitality , to a game of his choosing, at least 4 times in his later life, also getting to meet Roy Bentley, who used to travel to games with dad and look after him, and say thank you (picture) Thanks for your help, Chelsea will always have a special place in our family.

Dad meeting Roy Bentley was very special. It's 63 years since they played against Arsenal. Roy is now 91 and not very well. Dad thanked him for his help as a youngster at the club.Roy was a very good player and top man. Also John Dempsey, a real gent and Kenny Swain were with us today. All the staff at Chelsea were excellent plus Zara and her 'team ' from Fulham.

Peckham Blue From Norwich he signed for Worcester and Poole Town. There's a story about Norwich who wanted to keep him a second year.He had dislocated his ankle soon after signing . In those days a player only got a 1 year contract,but he wanted to go part time which was the same money and also work. The result was that Norwich retained his registration and he could never Re enter league football. Proberly why he went to Australia.

Thanks for your best wishes. Len made his debut against Arsenal away . I have the programme and tried to upload it. I believe he laid on 1 goal and Chelsea won. He played 2 other league games and several first team friendlies before moving to Norwich getting injured and moving to non league. The then manager, Ted Drake didn't really like either Bob Smith or my Dad(they were great mates) I won't go into the reasons. Bob went to Spurs, winning the double and England caps, dad went in another direction...... However dad was earning more money playing non league and working than any full time pro because the maximum wage of £15.How times have changed! We had a good life and he played in Australia for the top side, plus he became a FA coach, but never took up the opertunities which came his way. He's physically very fit for his age just a pity his memory is failing, still it's going to be fantastic looking around Chelsea and he's really looking forward to visiting some of his old haunts, this Sunday.

Just a few words of appreciation and thanks. My dad Len Kell, was signed by Chelsea as a 17 year old, in the 50,s and spent about 5 years at the club, working through the teams and eventually playing a few games in the first team before he was sold to Norwich. He's 83 now and suffers from alzheimers but always recalls his time at Chelsea with great fondness. His great mates were Andy Bowman and Bob Smith both sadly deceased. Roman Abramovich heard about dad and immediately sent a club invite to any game ( dad choose Man City) plus a card from all the squad. This means a lot to us. I've heard many great stories about Chelsea over the years, stuff which would never make the papers! I'm told Len Casey and John Dempsey will also be with us, so that's going to be great. Anyway just wanted to let you know that Chelsea look after their own and we are very greatfull and humble.