Peter
Bonetti, the former Chelsea and England goalkeeper, has died aged 78, the
club has announced.
Bonetti played more than 700 times for Chelsea over two spells between 1960
and 1979 and was part of England's 1966 World Cup-winning squad but missed
out on a medal as he did not play in the tournament.
He was eventually awarded a medal in 2009 following a campaign led by the
Football Association.
Bonetti helped win the League Cup, FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup
during his time at Stamford Bridge, as well as achieving promotion from the
Second Division back into the top flight in both 1963 and 1977.
Bonetti held the record for the most Blues clean sheets until Petr Cech
surpassed him in 2014, and only former Chelsea captain Ron Harris has more
appearances for the west London club.
A Chelsea statement read: "Chelsea Football Club is hugely saddened to
announce the passing today of one of our indisputably all-time great
players, Peter Bonetti.
"Our former goalkeeper had been suffering from long-term illness. All at
Chelsea wish to send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to Peter's family
and friends.
"Peter Bonetti's position in the pantheon of Chelsea footballing gods is
unassailable.
"He was the Cat who broke the mould, defied the odds, drew the gasps, earned
the cheers and got the cream. All in front of an adoring Stamford Bridge."
top