9 hours ago, Backbiter said:

^^Never seen that before. David Webb up front? And scoring twice!

Cheers.

Played in goal as well Webby. Not while he was playing up front mind!

Edited October 24, 20187 yr by Ewell CFC

1 hour ago, Ewell CFC said:

Played in goal as well Webby. Not while he was playing up front mind!

Against Ipswich on Boxing Day, I was at that one, Xmas treat.

5) David Webb, Chelsea v Ipswich, December 1971

There have been countless occasions when outfield players have been forced to take over from an injured or expelled goalkeeper for part of a match, but very few in which the outfield player started the game in goal. One came when Hearts visited Aberdeen in April 1993, and their goalkeeper, Nicky Walker, pulled a calf muscle in the warm-up. With no other keeper in the squad, their manager Joe Jordan asked for a volunteer to play in goal. "I stupidly put my hand up," said the striker Ian Baird. "I regretted it straight away. I played in goal for 20 minutes at Leeds once and I didn't enjoy it at all." Hearts lost 3-2. Neil McBain, a former wing-half, was Brighton manager in 1947 when an injury crisis left him with no fit goalkeepers for a game against Hartlepool, so he played himself, becoming at 51 years and 120 days the oldest man ever to play league football (a record that stood until 2003). Brighton were soundly beaten 3-0.

In December 1971 Chelsea's goalkeeper Peter Bonetti was injured during a match against Coventry, and David Webb played the rest of the match in his place. He did so well that he started the next game. It was not an entirely free choice – John Phillips, Bonetti's regular understudy, was also injured and when at the last minute they called on Steve Sherwood, the one other keeper on the club's books, who was in Yorkshire spending Christmas with his family, he promptly got stuck in traffic on the M1.

"The pitch was a mudbath," Peter Osgood recalled in his autobiography. "At the beginning of the game Webby dropped to his knees in the goalmouth, placed his palms together and feigned praying. It was a very funny moment, but he need not have worried." Webb kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win, and the match helped him to an unusual distinction: a defender by trade, during his time at Chelsea Webb wore every shirt from one to 12 bar No11 and Ipswich witnessed his versatility at close hand over the 1971-72 season – not only did he play in goal and keep a clean sheet in their first meeting, when Chelsea visited Portman Road the following April, he started up front and scored both goals in a 2-1 win.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/apr/26/joy-of-six-outfield-players-goal

 

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/10/17/classics--le-saux-when-he-settled-back-in

To mark his 50th birthday today, we bring you a classic interview from the past with our former England international Graeme Le Saux.

The left-sided player made more than 300 appearances over two spells at Chelsea and it was a few months after his return to the club in 1997 that this interview took place, originally carried in the matchday programme when, just like this coming weekend, Manchester United were the visitors to Stamford Bridge, on this occasion in the third round of the FA Cup…
 

When Graeme Le Saux left for Blackburn in 1993, the nearest any Chelsea player lived to central London was probably Dennis Wise in Shepherd’s Bush, or youngsters who had yet to leave home like Eddie Newton in White City and Frank Sinclair in Clapham.

Now he has moved into an area near Kensington Gardens with Roberto Di Matteo just around the corner and Dan Petrescu, Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola a few roads away.

“It’s a lot different living in town,” he says with the satisfaction of someone who has found his natural home. Everything’s on your doorstep and the city is your home.’

But obviously the changes in Chelsea since he’s been away mean that the city is several players’ home now.

Le Saux, 29 years old – that seems almost impossible, doesn’t it? – came to Chelsea after taking his ‘A’ levels.

“I never thought of living in London. I moved to Kingston because I knew people there and then it seemed the place to buy. But in my last year at Chelsea I was making more friends who lived in town. I was spending time there during the day.

“So when I came back from Blackburn I thought that maybe this was my only chance to live in London. I didn’t move in because of the other players here, but it’s nice to be able to phone them up and meet with them.

“It’s probably the best city in the world at the moment. I’ve enjoyed the restaurants and shops so far, but I’ve not had much of a chance to enjoy anything else. We spent so much time looking for somewhere to rent and then to buy, we only moved in at the end of October, and now it’s New Year we’re finally settling in.

“So now I’ll have to start getting Time Out to see what’s going on. I’ve not even been to a gig.”
 

 

Graeme Le Saux taking on Man United

‘We’ is him and his Argentine-born wife. London is for the now, not forever.

“When we start thinking about having children I couldn’t see us living there.”

Also for now is top-quality football (give or take the odd match at Southampton and home to Leeds).

Settling back in the team has not been as easy for him as everyone might assume. The difference in style of play to what he experienced here before or at Blackburn has been massive. He has spent over six weeks out injured. He has switched between left-back and left-midfield and has had a succession of partners down that side: Poyet, Babayaro, Nicholls and Granville.

“It’s gone as well as I’d hoped. I’d like to have scored more, but I think no-one would expect me to have done. I’m confident with the style of play. I think the supporters are happy with what they see on the pitch and hopefully they see me coming back as a good thing.”
 

 

Le Saux on the left at the old training ground at Harlington

He really did only find out about Chelsea’s interest on the day he signed. “I spoke to Ruud who said Chelsea were in need of a left-sided player and he had been looking at me for quite a long time.

“Challenging for the League is all about being versatile and if that means me having to play forward, that’s not a problem. I don’t feel threatened by that.”
But he started at left-back with Gustavo Poyet ahead of him. There seemed to be an instant understanding.

“Certainly Gus and I were working very well, but unfortunately his injury upset that permutation. But it’s all about how you play over a longer period, not just a few games. Mark Nicholls came in recently and we started to get a combination against Derby, Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday.
“If you’re playing with good players it’s not hard to adapt.”

After the muddle of finding his best position at Chelsea first time around, it is ironic that the adaptability up that left flank now suits his international status where, as a wing-back, he operates between the two roles.

There is no doubting his international credentials, nor his high status at that level, after numerous good performances for England. All things being well, the World Cup awaits. But down at the strangely warm and un-windy Harlington, he is not fired up by the thought of it.
 

 

Le Saux with David Beckham and Ian Wright on the night they qualified for the '98 World Cup

“At the moment I’m not even thinking about it,” he says dismissively. “Obviously I got excited when the draw was made and I was asked to comment, but since then it’s slipped out of my mind.

“What I want is that it is the climax to a very successful club season. At the moment I just want to play and win things at Chelsea, do my bit for us to stay up there.”

Everyone keeps asking him about the improvements at the club on his return, and no-one has asked him if there is anything he misses. Until now. Is there anything he misses? There is.

“I’ll always miss the Shed as it was,” he immediately offers. “That’s part of the history of the club. For new players coming into the team it was the historic place of the ground.”

But obviously the plusses outweigh any minuses. And now he embarks upon another FA Cup campaign. He’s relaxed and buoyant. Man about town.

“I think the winners of today’s game will win the Cup,” he smiles, his eyes lighting up. And he reveals a surprising Cup statistic.

“I’ve never gone very far in the competition. Sunderland in the quarter-finals when we went to the replay, that is the furthest.”

That was 1992. Who would bet against the settled London man taking the short trip to Wembley on May 16th, 1998!

He heads out of remote Harlington towards the centre of the city.

In the end, Le Saux’s prediction for the FA Cup proved wide of the mark as the trophy was lifted by Arsenal that season, although a few weeks earlier he was at Wembley as part of the Chelsea side that were triumphant in the League Cup final. He also played for England at the 1998 World Cup and made the quarter-finals before being beaten by Argentina on penalties.
 

2 hours ago, erskblue said:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2018/10/17/classics--le-saux-when-he-settled-back-in

To mark his 50th birthday today, we bring you a classic interview from the past with our former England international Graeme Le Saux.

The left-sided player made more than 300 appearances over two spells at Chelsea and it was a few months after his return to the club in 1997 that this interview took place, originally carried in the matchday programme when, just like this coming weekend, Manchester United were the visitors to Stamford Bridge, on this occasion in the third round of the FA Cup…
 

When Graeme Le Saux left for Blackburn in 1993, the nearest any Chelsea player lived to central London was probably Dennis Wise in Shepherd’s Bush, or youngsters who had yet to leave home like Eddie Newton in White City and Frank Sinclair in Clapham.

Now he has moved into an area near Kensington Gardens with Roberto Di Matteo just around the corner and Dan Petrescu, Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola a few roads away.

“It’s a lot different living in town,” he says with the satisfaction of someone who has found his natural home. Everything’s on your doorstep and the city is your home.’

But obviously the changes in Chelsea since he’s been away mean that the city is several players’ home now.

Le Saux, 29 years old – that seems almost impossible, doesn’t it? – came to Chelsea after taking his ‘A’ levels.

“I never thought of living in London. I moved to Kingston because I knew people there and then it seemed the place to buy. But in my last year at Chelsea I was making more friends who lived in town. I was spending time there during the day.

“So when I came back from Blackburn I thought that maybe this was my only chance to live in London. I didn’t move in because of the other players here, but it’s nice to be able to phone them up and meet with them.

“It’s probably the best city in the world at the moment. I’ve enjoyed the restaurants and shops so far, but I’ve not had much of a chance to enjoy anything else. We spent so much time looking for somewhere to rent and then to buy, we only moved in at the end of October, and now it’s New Year we’re finally settling in.

“So now I’ll have to start getting Time Out to see what’s going on. I’ve not even been to a gig.”
 

 

Graeme Le Saux taking on Man United

‘We’ is him and his Argentine-born wife. London is for the now, not forever.

“When we start thinking about having children I couldn’t see us living there.”

Also for now is top-quality football (give or take the odd match at Southampton and home to Leeds).

Settling back in the team has not been as easy for him as everyone might assume. The difference in style of play to what he experienced here before or at Blackburn has been massive. He has spent over six weeks out injured. He has switched between left-back and left-midfield and has had a succession of partners down that side: Poyet, Babayaro, Nicholls and Granville.

“It’s gone as well as I’d hoped. I’d like to have scored more, but I think no-one would expect me to have done. I’m confident with the style of play. I think the supporters are happy with what they see on the pitch and hopefully they see me coming back as a good thing.”
 

 

Le Saux on the left at the old training ground at Harlington

He really did only find out about Chelsea’s interest on the day he signed. “I spoke to Ruud who said Chelsea were in need of a left-sided player and he had been looking at me for quite a long time.

“Challenging for the League is all about being versatile and if that means me having to play forward, that’s not a problem. I don’t feel threatened by that.”
But he started at left-back with Gustavo Poyet ahead of him. There seemed to be an instant understanding.

“Certainly Gus and I were working very well, but unfortunately his injury upset that permutation. But it’s all about how you play over a longer period, not just a few games. Mark Nicholls came in recently and we started to get a combination against Derby, Tottenham and Sheffield Wednesday.
“If you’re playing with good players it’s not hard to adapt.”

After the muddle of finding his best position at Chelsea first time around, it is ironic that the adaptability up that left flank now suits his international status where, as a wing-back, he operates between the two roles.

There is no doubting his international credentials, nor his high status at that level, after numerous good performances for England. All things being well, the World Cup awaits. But down at the strangely warm and un-windy Harlington, he is not fired up by the thought of it.
 

 

Le Saux with David Beckham and Ian Wright on the night they qualified for the '98 World Cup

“At the moment I’m not even thinking about it,” he says dismissively. “Obviously I got excited when the draw was made and I was asked to comment, but since then it’s slipped out of my mind.

“What I want is that it is the climax to a very successful club season. At the moment I just want to play and win things at Chelsea, do my bit for us to stay up there.”

Everyone keeps asking him about the improvements at the club on his return, and no-one has asked him if there is anything he misses. Until now. Is there anything he misses? There is.

“I’ll always miss the Shed as it was,” he immediately offers. “That’s part of the history of the club. For new players coming into the team it was the historic place of the ground.”

But obviously the plusses outweigh any minuses. And now he embarks upon another FA Cup campaign. He’s relaxed and buoyant. Man about town.

“I think the winners of today’s game will win the Cup,” he smiles, his eyes lighting up. And he reveals a surprising Cup statistic.

“I’ve never gone very far in the competition. Sunderland in the quarter-finals when we went to the replay, that is the furthest.”

That was 1992. Who would bet against the settled London man taking the short trip to Wembley on May 16th, 1998!

He heads out of remote Harlington towards the centre of the city.

In the end, Le Saux’s prediction for the FA Cup proved wide of the mark as the trophy was lifted by Arsenal that season, although a few weeks earlier he was at Wembley as part of the Chelsea side that were triumphant in the League Cup final. He also played for England at the 1998 World Cup and made the quarter-finals before being beaten by Argentina on penalties.
 

Not sure if it was Bergerac's debut or not but remember him scoring in last minute at palace boxing day 1989, we went one up in first minute with king Kerry, then went 2-1 down, only for Bergerac to equalise in final minute. 

Also remember as a winger him ripping Spurs apart at bridge in 1991 in milk cup quarters, we drew 0-0 unbelievably, went home to watch highlights and they weren't on TV as the first Gulf War had just started. We won replay at Lane 3-0, 

My son's are feeling old this morning, as they remember le saux playing in early 2000's, and now the old git is 50!!!! Mind you come next April I'm in same boat.

19 minutes ago, chi blue said:

Not sure if it was Bergerac's debut or not but remember him scoring in last minute at palace boxing day 1989, we went one up in first minute with king Kerry, then went 2-1 down, only for Bergerac to equalise in final minute. 

Also remember as a winger him ripping Spurs apart at bridge in 1991 in milk cup quarters, we drew 0-0 unbelievably, went home to watch highlights and they weren't on TV as the first Gulf War had just started. We won replay at Lane 3-0, 

My son's are feeling old this morning, as they remember le saux playing in early 2000's, and now the old git is 50!!!! Mind you come next April I'm in same boat.

I went to the 0-0 with Spurs and thought we had blown it by having so many chances and not capitalising.

Didn't make it to WHL yet thought at the time that was an exceptional result setting me up for the huge disappointment of the two-legged semis with Sheffield Wednesday.

1 hour ago, chi blue said:

Not sure if it was Bergerac's debut or not but remember him scoring in last minute at palace boxing day 1989, we went one up in first minute with king Kerry, then went 2-1 down, only for Bergerac to equalise in final minute. 

Also remember as a winger him ripping Spurs apart at bridge in 1991 in milk cup quarters, we drew 0-0 unbelievably, went home to watch highlights and they weren't on TV as the first Gulf War had just started. We won replay at Lane 3-0, 

My son's are feeling old this morning, as they remember le saux playing in early 2000's, and now the old git is 50!!!! Mind you come next April I'm in same boat.

I get those early 90s Spurs games mixed up. Townsend had a brama in one which led Bobby Campbell I think saying he wouldn’t swap in for another midfielder in the country ( little swipe at Gazza), but BC got moved upstairs in 91 so it might have been 90.

Not as versatile as Webby, but Osgood played up front and midfield for us, and occasionally centre half/ sweeper for Southampton.

 

11 minutes ago, Ewell CFC said:

I get those early 90s Spurs games mixed up. Townsend had a brama in one which led Bobby Campbell I think saying he wouldn’t swap in for another midfielder in the country ( little swipe at Gazza), but BC got moved upstairs in 91 so it might have been 90.

Not as versatile as Webby, but Osgood played up front and midfield for us, and occasionally centre half/ sweeper for Southampton.

 

Yes was at White Hart lane for that replay, and Townsend totally over run gazza.

Suspect that this photo was taken during the game against Middlesbrough in 1988.

Not football but a picture of the steeplechase race at the Bridge in 1922.

Celebrations after Ossie's equaliser in the 1970 FA Cup Final replay.

1 hour ago, Boyne said:

Suspect that this photo was taken during the game against Middlesbrough in 1988.

Stamford bridge donkey derby May 1988

3 hours ago, Boyne said:

Micky Droy having his beard trimmed that day.

Brilliant goal by Ray Wilkins v Hereford in 1976/77 at The Bridge.

17 hours ago, Boyne said:

Not football but a picture of the steeplechase race at the Bridge in 1922.

1922 AAA Championships perhaps ?

Had a great time behind the away dugout last night. Just happened to be sat in front of Nigel Spackman. We reminisced about the old days of 83/84, the team, fans and stories of the time. Amazed hardly anyone recognised him. Soon changed that at halftime! Some people asked who he was and happily explained. Great evening sat watching Chelsea win in Europe.

On 25/10/2018 at 13:33, Boyne said:

My first Chelsea kit, I would strut round the local park or my back garden with it on, shame the team was pretty crap, mind you, love is blind they say!

46 minutes ago, Richard P said:

Had a great time behind the away dugout last night. Just happened to be sat in front of Nigel Spackman. We reminisced about the old days of 83/84, the team, fans and stories of the time. Amazed hardly anyone recognised him. Soon changed that at halftime! Some people asked who he was and happily explained. Great evening sat watching Chelsea win in Europe.

I always thought spackman was more Liverpool than us after he left, and when we named an entrance after him that seemed even more strange. Maybe I'm wrong, hopefully he's blue through and through these days.

9 hours ago, chi blue said:

My first Chelsea kit, I would strut round the local park or my back garden with it on, shame the team was pretty crap, mind you, love is blind they say!

Great kit, loved it when I'd get an umbro kit in the box back then.

Admittedly not so great a team. But, like you, they were my team .

Nigel Spackman stats with us. Transfer From Bournemouth  20 June 1983   Fee  £40,000   Transfer To Liverpool  24 February 1987   Fee  £400,000   Transfer From Rangers  8 September 1992   Fee  £485,000   Released  on 31 May 1996 Played 254 times for us with another 13 as sub, scoring 14 goals. Played 40 league games in that season (1983/84) scoring 3 goals and played in the  FA Cup once and five times in the 5 League Cup.

20 hours ago, chi blue said:

I always thought spackman was more Liverpool than us after he left, and when we named an entrance after him that seemed even more strange. Maybe I'm wrong, hopefully he's blue through and through these days.

Loved his time here and spoke well of us fans. Especially the numbers we took away and the atmosphere. Also he liked his song to the superman tune for those thar remember!

To the Batman tune- nana nana nana nana SPACKMAN!

Werent he some sort of cross country champion? Great engine, kept in simple.

3 hours ago, Ewell CFC said:

To the Batman tune- nana nana nana nana SPACKMAN!

Werent he some sort of cross country champion? Great engine, kept in simple.

I meant batman!! I actually did it on Thursday night!!