http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32063681

 

Former Chelsea manager and assistant manager Ron Suart passed away on Wednesday at the age of 94. Obviously he was long before my time and I can't pretend I know a great deal about him but I imagine a few of our more (ahem) 'experienced' members might have a few words to say.

 

His spell in charge of Chelsea was brief, but it seems like he was a key fixture within the coaching staff during our glory days of the late 60s and early 70s.

 

R.I.P.

 

 

Tribute from the Chelsea site:

 

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/03/ron-suart-remembered.html

 

 

John Hollins:

‘In the Leeds game he gave a talk at half-time, then a different type of talk at full-time before extra-time. He told us to make sure if we lost the ball we won it back as quickly as possible, it was simple advice but just what we needed at the time.

'I’ve got great memories of Ron, he was what we call a solid man in football. Ron was an assistant to Dave [sexton] but to the players he was a fatherly figure. He’d come around and tell us if we weren’t looking after ourselves properly. He had a very strong northern accent and was a lovely man.

‘Ron and Dave made a brilliant pair because they were both football men through and through. He’d give you a little tap on the shoulder before a game and offer little bits of encouragement.

‘He was always there on time, never late. We’d always ask him what time he got up in the morning, but he could give a joke as well as take one.

‘He had time for everyone, he was never too busy for you. You simply couldn’t dislike the man, even if he dropped you he did it in the right way. He did a hell of a lot for me in many ways and I’ll always be grateful.’

 

 

 

 

 

Tommy Langley:

 

 

‘He was a really lovely, old-school type of character and he had a nice manner. He would have a go at you and be very forceful, but there would always be a bit of a glint in his eye and a wink at the same time.

‘He was very strong in terms of discipline but we were all young kids and we needed that. Ron brought all of the young boys up into first team training and coached us all the way through. It’s very sad because he was a proper Chelsea man and a proper football man.

‘He certainly helped me in my career, for sure, and there are a lot of people who will say the same.’

 

 

 

 

 

Clive Walker:

 

 

‘I was a young man that obviously needed some guidance, and Ron was an authoritative figure within the camp at the time, which is what all youngsters need. We looked up to him and appreciated the kind of guy he was and the work he put in.

‘Ron was a real gentleman and I have very fond memories of that time, growing up and coming through the youth team.

‘He had the full respect of all the players, especially the youngsters. He was always hugely involved in terms of coaching and training, and always there if you needed somebody to talk to. It was a pleasure to have him around the camp. He was a great guy, really good to be around.’

 

 

Good innings at 94! RIP to a proper blue!