I was very privileged to attend the statue unveiling of a hero of mine at Stamford Bridge. The sculptor ,Philip Jackson has produced a wonderful statue of Ossie who will now look down on players and fans alike each home match day - on all who go to see the Blues.
Peter Osgood - Ossie - King of Stamford Bridge. Adored by fans. Scorer of immortal cup final goals. The fruits of his success at Chelsea football club 1964-1974, 1978-1979. 300 Appearances.150 goals Winner of 1970 FA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1971
Future Fruits of his success will be produced as a result of the charity set up to his memory.
The Peter Osgood Trust www.thepeterosgoodtrust.org. Registered Charity No 1120501 Founded in 2008 with a goal to help underprivileged children get a head start in life by offering opportunities to encourage skills in football. The Trust is a registered charity and reflects his love of the game in a positive and loving manner.
The Statue was blessed by the Club Chaplain
Former Chelsea defender ,John Dempsey read the moving Poem 'For Ossie ' written by Chelsea Fan Daniel Clarke who has just graduated from Kingston University . Daniel was too young to have seen Osgood play for Chelsea , so his poem is all the more moving as a testament of a hugely successful club still with a family tradition whose fans pass on their love of Chelsea FC from generation to generation.
Daniel's poem ends
" He lit the path and led the way,
Set the bar for the stars of today.
Gone he may be, but forgotten never,
For the story of The King will live for ever."
The "Cat" ,the "Doc" and "Motty".
The venerable commentator John Motson interviews former manager Tommy Docherty and former England and Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti.
There were the international stars of today's Chelsea including John Terry and Frank Lampard present alongside players and managers from Ossie's era.
Lawrie McMenemy MBE who was Southampton FC manager when Ossie played for the Saints came to the event. He was a complete gentleman. He posed for photographs alongside the FA Cup with a group of three Chelsea pensioners in their red calf length coats. Mr.McMeneny was a Coldstream guard and still stands tall.
My lasting memory of the evening was meeting one of the most charming of people, the former forward Bobby Tambling who told me " For however long or short players play for Chelsea they never forget this great club".
Ossie never forgot Chelsea and Chelsea will never Ossie.
"Osgood Is good" as the chants used to go on the terraces.
I did take some movie of the unveiling but it is 90 degrees in the wrong plane
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A good account of the player
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