From elsewhere..

 

I dont know if this has been posted before but very sad news....

Hi all, as a founding member of Chelsea West Mids supporters club, we were sent a message this week which was very upsetting that i want to make you all aware of. I had known from my visits to the Bridge of late that sadly our former custodian, Peter 'The Cat' Bonetti, was not in the best of health, and had the onset of the early stages of dementia. We were informed this week by a lady who went to visit her aunt at Bloxwich Hosptial in the West Mids, (who is also a WBA season ticket holder), that she was surprised and saddened to also see Peter in the same hospital. He is not in the best of health, and does not appear to have any visitors (we are going to pay him a visit by the way), and she also said he was watching the Chelsea v Leeds cup final match on TV, and seemed to have a recollection of it. Her husband informed Chelsea and the PFA apparently of Peter's whereabouts, as she said he does not appear to have the funds for long-term home care, hence the hospitalisation, and thought it would be nice if former team-mates or colleagues could pay him a visit. Sadly, no feedback has been recieved to either. I think we need to make people (Chelsea fans and former players, and the Club) fully aware of Peter's plight, and see if something can be done, as it has been in the past when other players, not necessarily our own, have fallen on hard times, and/or illness. So, everyone, i will get word out on sites and social media and contact Bruce Buck et al, but feel free to inform as many as possible, so hopefully Peter will realise he is not alone, not forgotten, and is forever a true blue in our hearts and minds. KTBFFH. Thank you for reading this.

That is very sad news, one of our true greats. It would be nice to think our club could help out in some way, it seems quite a few of the old pros end up in financial trouble. Keep your chin up Peter.

 

Great work, CB. This is awful news. I really hope the club, the fans and his former teammates can pull together to provide some help for him. Bonetti is a true legend who served us for some 20 years.

 

EDIT: Top work by the the guy from the West Midlands who's circulated this news, and well done to CB for helping.

Edited July 9, 201610 yr by Backbiter

Every year all the Chelsea players should donate one days pay towards a fund for all ex Chelsea players who fall into bad health and hard times. Must be worth a few hundred grand every year, at least it's something to recognise that these players built the foundations for the modern players to make their riches.

 

Long live The Cat !

Sad news of one our own, a true legend who served the club well. At a time when football is awash with money, it should be remembered many played the game for the love of it. Football on the whole should be doing more to help own, Chelsea in this case.

Im gutted obviously never saw him play because my age but hes still one off my favourite players from watching old matches. We all agree that peter bonetti is magic

Sad news, hope he gets the care he needs

Very sad news. Dementia is a terrible illness and heartbreaking to watch as I've seen with family close to me who have suffered rapid deterioration from the illness, but have now subsequently passed on.

 

I hope the club becomes aware of Peter's current issues and that they can do whatever they can to assist him. I'm sure the great man and his family and close friends will be much appreciative of the gesture.

 

I wish him nothing but comfort and hope as Peter was a wonderful club servant for us for many years and his contribution and passion for Chelsea Football Club should never be forgotten.

 

Thanks for informing us of his current condition CB, even if the circumstances are not good.

Sad sad news hope the club become aware of this and help him and his family out.

I met Peter 'The Cat' many times over the years. The first time being at his first Testimonial match v Standard Liege in 1971 a week before the ECWC Final v Real Madrid in Athens. He was always a great goalkeeper but also a real Gentleman. Long Live 'The Cat'

  

Very sad news, Peter Bonetti was and still is, Chelsea through and through. I hope the Club can do something to help him.

Peter was still working for the club last season with Chopper and others. I'm sure the club would know if his health had ditereated. Roman since he's taken over set up looking after past players paying for operations etc. Sad news, and hope he gets the care needed.

Just seen an update..

 

Peter Bonettii

Andy Scott writes :
Just wanted to let everyone know that Scott Bonetti, Peter's son, has contacted me tonight to update me. Peter is being visited by family and friends, and is not there due to financial reasons and will be moved soon. The club are also aware of the situation and are working with the family and PFA. He also wanted to thank everyone for the messages of support. Just wanted to update everyone asap.

Has anyone/can anyone get more information on this? Obviously we would want to arrange something if the information coming through if legit. We had a reliable source when Tambling's condition was announced (Rick Glanvill on Twitter) so I'm looking for the same here.

We need names and an address a card can be sent to, I'm having a look as we speak but I'd be grateful if others could join.

Every year all the Chelsea players should donate one days pay towards a fund for all ex Chelsea players who fall into bad health and hard times. Must be worth a few hundred grand every year, at least it's something to recognise that these players built the foundations for the modern players to make their riches.

 

Long live The Cat !

 

What a great idea that is.

I hope the very best for him, one of my all time favourite players.

Still nothing on the net about this. Just checking with Carshalton, Peter hasn't got a son called Scott did you mean Nicholas?

Still nothing on the net about this. Just checking with Carshalton, Peter hasn't got a son called Scott did you mean Nicholas?

I didnt write it mate i copied it on to here.

Seems like the cat is getting the care he needs & is being supported by family members..

 

Makes me sad to read that he's battling advanced dementia. I wish him nothing but strength and dignity. 

 

It's good to know that he has loved ones around him and the club is supporting him and his family, which is the least I expect considering Peter's wonderful contribution to our club.

Unfortunately I recently attended the funeral of Johnny Brooks who played for us in 1959 to 61. Also played for Spurs for six years before.

Spurs ex-Players Fund paid towards his care towards the end and I think helped with the funeral costs. He also suffered from dementia.

Sad news.  I hope he and his family are strong during this horrific time

My thoughts are with Peter and his family. I had a grandparent that was diagnosed with dementia and it was dreadful to see that person slip away. I pray that he still remembers the fans cheering him on. A true chelsea legend.

Met him after he had left us and was playing for Dundee Utd at the start of 1979/80.

I was in awe of him. He happily signed my programme and said he was glad to hear that I was a Chelsea supporter. Made me feel 10 foot tall.

I wish him the very,very best.

I was gutted when he no longer played for us, he is for me THE number one all time keeper associated with Chelsea.
I really wish the best for him. 

One of my favourite Chelsea players of ALL time. Which one of us did not try to emulate "the Cat" when we played in goal as kids ?. I know I did and he made you actually want to be a keeper when all your mates wanted to be up front shooting for goal. He made keeping look exciting. I have never met Peter Bonetti but you just know that he is great guy who would give everyone his time if you were in his company. When you look at some of the great keepers over the past 40 years or so Peter was making some of the same spectacular athletic saves on wet mud laden afternoons back then and making it look equally effortless. I want to salute Peter Bonetti a hero; a legend a true Blue great and to let him know that he and those close to him are in the thoughts of the Chelsea fans and willing him on and wishing him well just like we always did.

Unaware of this I was only sat watching him on a MOTD rerun of Villa 2 Chelsea 6 in 1966 on BT a couple of nights ago. Marvelling at some of the greats in that team including Peter; five goal Bobby Tambling; Ossie; Chopper; Hollins et al. Wonderful images reminding me of where I came in as kid supporting Chelsea "up North" when all my mates were Man Utd or Leeds fans. Wonderful memories indeed.

Edited July 20, 20169 yr by claytonblue