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.

Barrie, thanks for posting. A wonderful gesture from the club towards your Dad. So important to look after our own.

Thanks for sharing hope your dad has a cracking day.

Great story thanks for sharing. Hope you all have a really good day but I especially hope your dad loves it.

Well done the club

Refreshing to hear after all that is being said of our club lacking soul.

Thanks for posting!

Leonard "Len" Kell (born 27 May 1932 in Billingham) made three league appearances for Chelsea in September 1953. An inside forward, he made his debut in a 2-1 win against Arsenal at Highbury, but would make just two further appearances for the Blues before moving to Norwich City.

 

 

 

 

 

 His debut we beat the arsenal, top drawer!  Well done your Dad.

 

 

UTC!

Thank you so much for telling us this story about your Dad. There are so many threads moaning about the current state of play that it's lovely to read about a heart warrming gesture like this.

Hope your dad has a great day.

Credit where it is due to Roman for doing this.

Scott: Cheers for the info. His dad made his debut when we beat Arsenal.

Ya beauty!

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.

Great stuff from the club. Hope you and your Dad have a great day tomorrow

Who did he play for non-league out of interest?

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.

Thank you.  I was hoping you'd say Dulwich Hamlet and I could have done some digging around!

Very heart warming.Thanks for sharing that.It proves our great club still has a soul

Hope your dad has a fantastic day

Hope you all have a great day out.....UTC!

Again, hope you and your dad have a great day and we beat City.

That's a lovely gesture from the club and heartening to hear. Hope you enjoy your day and get a result and performance that you guys deserve.

Nice one, hope you both enjoy the day out later

Hope you've enjoyed your day.

Winning 5-1 v Man City.

What a game he chose...

Edited February 21, 201610 yr by erskblue

Your dad chose a fine match - nice 5:1 win for us v Citeeh.

 

Help him whenever you can - I lost my dad 5 years ago because of this terrible disease and know how you must feel.

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.

^ Barrie, sounds like you and your Dad had a great day at the Bridge. A wonderful result and great for him to meet ex-players.

This is one of the most heartwarming posts I've come across on this forum.

 

I hope your father had a great day yesterday at the ground.

Barrie, it seems your Dad brings good luck. Can he stay for the PSG game too? :)