Tribute suggested as Osgood passes away

Chelsea officials could consider a permanent tribute to Peter Osgood following the death of the player nicknamed ‘the King of Stamford Bridge’.

Osgood passed away, aged 59, suddenly while attending a family funeral after suffering a heart attack.

Famous for his diving header which helped Chelsea secure the 1970 FA Cup against Leeds, Osgood was part of the side who lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup a year later.

Former Chelsea players have suggested a lasting appreciation to honour one of the finest players the club has produced.

“People will always say the best player at Chelsea has been Gianfranco Zola but I would say Peter was the greatest,” said former team-mate Ron Harris. “He was such a strong player, a big fellow who scored goals and scared defenders.

“There is no modern-day comparison to Peter, he played at a time where defenders were so ruthless but he still scored fantastic goals.”

Ray Wilkins began his Chelsea career just before Osgood moved to Southampton, where he was a member of the Saints team which upset Manchester United in the 1976 FA Cup final despite being a Second Division club at the time.

“He certainly was a massive personality, he was quite daunting but we had good times,” Wilkins said. “He was an aggressive character in his football and in his manner, but a very likeable person. He told it like it was and you can’t expect too much more from people.”

Osgood was a physical forward, who was blessed with fine technical ability to add to his bravery.

“His first touch was the first thing I noticed,” Wilkins added. “Balls would come up from defenders and he would control it instantly, he had two feet and was magnificent to watch. He was a joy to watch, sheer elegance.

“Chelsea have had many great footballers and Ossie ranks among the best.

“In the modern-day game he had the attributes required to be a fantastic footballer, his technical ability was second to none on quagmire pitches – on today’s bowling greens he would have been exceptional.”

Despite his ability, Osgood made only four appearances for England, such was the competition for places during his era. He was, however, a member of the 1970 World Cup squad at the end of a season in which he was the First Division’s top scorer with 31 goals as well as scoring in every round of the FA Cup.

He joined Southampton in 1974 and scored 28 goals in 126 appearances for the south coast club, while he also played three games on loan for Norwich in 1976. After a spell playing for Philadelphia in the United States, Osgood returned to Chelsea and scored two goals in 10 appearances in 1978-79.

Tommy Docherty, manager at Stamford Bridge between 1962 and 1967, told Sky Sports News: “The only thing was he should have been picked more for the England squad and team, his handful of caps was not enough for a player of his talent and ability.”

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick added: “Peter Osgood made a wonderful contribution to English football, playing four times for the national side and serving clubs like Chelsea and Southampton with such great distinction. He had 10 years with Chelsea and will always be a hero to Blues fans.”

After finishing his playing career, Osgood worked at Stamford Bridge as a corporate host and was also an after-dinner speaker.

Former team-mate John Hollins remembered Osgood as a determined character on and off the pitch.

“He was a fighter as well – when he finished football, a lot of people feel sorry for themselves, he got on with it and made a good business,” Hollins said on BBC News 24. “He was a big character. He always had a good word for everybody.”

Southampton have confirmed they will hold a minute’s silence and players will wear black armbands for Saturday’s Championship game against Coventry in honour of Osgood and another former striker who recently passed away, Charlie Wayman.