There was Hutch!

Here he is getting ready to unleash one.

Scott, Hutch was one of my Chelsea Idols and i think its very sad he's never recognised by the club in the way some of our great players over the years have . He was a fearless player , big , strong and great in the air. I'd love to see a tribute to him in some way from the club but i doubt that so maybe we should leave it up to all of us. I have no doubt he's always in the thoughts of Chelsea fans and is never forgotton.

Scott, Hutch was one of my Chelsea Idols and i think its very sad he's never recognised by the club in the way some of our great players over the years have . He was a fearless player , big , strong and great in the air. I'd love to see a tribute to him in some way from the club but i doubt that so maybe we should leave it up to all of us. I have no doubt he's always in the thoughts of Chelsea fans and is never forgotton.

I loved him too.

I loved him too.

Yeah but when i played with me mates i could be Hutch because my name was Ian, bet you couldnt do that . :D

Let's not forget the winner in the 1970 FA Cup Final.

ian ian hutchinson ian ian hutchinson

My own little tribute:

Ian Hutchinson (1968-1976)

Nice one Lofty. A fitting tribute.

Nice article Lofty.

I especially liked Ossie's quote:

"He was my best friend. He was the best man at my three weddings and I was best man at his two."

Let's not forget the winner in the 1970 FA Cup Final.

Or the equaliser at Wembley in 1970

Wonderful player who was far too brave for his own good. This bravery ultimately cut his career short.

Wonderful player who was far too brave for his own good. This bravery ultimately cut his career short.

Did anyone see that World in Action feature on cortisone injections many years ago? It featured a team of ex-pros who'd had cortisone so that they could play through serious injury, and left them practically crippled.

Hutch was in that and his knees barely looked like knees, - they were so wrecked. He was incredibly good humoured and came across as a top, top bloke. No wonder Ossie loved him.

Edited September 8, 200916 yr by Backbiter

Top man, I loved him to bits when I was a kid. I was at a match in the early 70's when he did a demonstration ( any ideas which match anyone?) throwing the ball from the middle of the pitch waaaaaaaaaay into the 18 yard box at the North Stand end.

Top man, I loved him to bits when I was a kid. I was at a match in the early 70's when he did a demonstration ( any ideas which match anyone?) throwing the ball from the middle of the pitch waaaaaaaaaay into the 18 yard box at the North Stand end.

Was that the long-throw competition where Hutch beat everyone else, and Malcolm MacDonald was 2nd? If so, I think it was a testimonial game (against Fulham?), possibly for Peter Houseman? Wouldn't swear to it though, long time ago!

Ian Hutchinson, one of my favourite players of all time - a true Chelsea legend :)

Top man, I loved him to bits when I was a kid. I was at a match in the early 70's when he did a demonstration ( any ideas which match anyone?) throwing the ball from the middle of the pitch waaaaaaaaaay into the 18 yard box at the North Stand end.

Was that the long-throw competition where Hutch beat everyone else, and Malcolm MacDonald was 2nd? If so, I think it was a testimonial game (against Fulham?), possibly for Peter Houseman? Wouldn't swear to it though, long time ago!

Ian Hutchinson, one of my favourite players of all time - a true Chelsea legend :)

I think Peter Housemans Testimonial was against Man Utd. I think Chelsea won 5-0. I think I was there.

I think.

Peter Houseman testimonial:

well who the hells testimonial am I talking about?

Must have been a big name to bring Man Utd to The Bridge

That's the one, cheers Lofty!

Just had a look in my Ron Hockings 'bible', Chelsea won 4-1 that night with goals from Ossie (2), Webb & Hutch. Viv Busby scored for Fulham.

well who the hells testimonial am I talking about?

Must have been a big name to bring Man Utd to The Bridge

While I was having a look in the 'bible' I searched for the game you mentioned and could only come up with the following: -

Eddie McCreadie's Testimonial - 1 May 1974 Chelsea 1 (Hollins) Manchester Utd 2 (Macari 2)

Obviously not the 5-0 game you mention, and to be honest I don't remember us ever beating United by that score during the 70's. Are you sure it's not a case of you went to this game and were so traumatised by Chelsea losing at home to United that you kept telling yourself that we beat them 5-0 repeatedly until it became a 'fact' in your mind? :angry: :)

United weren't really such a big draw at the time of Eddie Mac's testimonial, they'd just got themselves relegated to Div.2 (just a year before we did the same).

you know how it is, things get a little mixed up in the old barnet once you reach a certain age.

I do seem to remebfer someone handing Ossie a pair of dark glasses and a walking stick just before kick off

Who can get forget him. As nippers we used to copy his technique at throw-ins with, it must be said, less than spectaular/wild/embarrasing results & much to our coaches chagrin. My fave player as a kid.

Was that the long-throw competition where Hutch beat everyone else, and Malcolm MacDonald was 2nd? If so, I think it was a testimonial game (against Fulham?), possibly for Peter Houseman? Wouldn't swear to it though, long time ago!

Ian Hutchinson, one of my favourite players of all time - a true Chelsea legend ;)

I didn't go to either the Man Utd or Fulham matches but did go to the Glasgow Rangers one though so maybe that's the one.

Amongst the clip hutch's misile enjoy

also some other excellent clips especially Eddie mc administering some capital punishment to ol BB,,,,,ouch

A nice time to revive the memor of Hutch as it is the anniversary of his death this Saturday (19th). It is a shame there is not a game on the day so we can pay some respect at the Bridge however here is hoping we can turn Spurs over in his memory.

Hutch who made it easier for Ossie and Hudson to perform. Hutch who broke through tackles that would floor modern day footballers. Hutch who appeared to hover in mid air waiting for the ball to arrive on his head. Hutch who delivered the throw in in the 1970 FA Cup replay that Charlton couldn't deal with and Webb turned in. Hutch who loved Ossie and had to endure Dave Sexton criticising Ossie by comparing his attitude to Hutch's. Hutch who was prepare to do battle against everything that life threw at him and was only beaten by an illness that was unbeatable.

Football fans love a hero and there is nobody in the history of our club who deserves that accolade more than Hutch does.