Premium
This is an archive article published on April 12, 2020

Peter Bonetti, Chelsea’s World Cup-winning legend, dies aged 78

Nicknamed "The Cat" for his quick reflexes in goal, Peter Bonetti made 729 appearances for Chelsea in two stints between 1960 and 1979 — second on the club's all-time appearances list.

google-preferred-btn
Peter Bonetti in action in 1965. (Source: AP Photo)

Former Chelsea and England goalkeeper Peter Bonetti has died at the age of 78 after a long battle with illness, the Premier League club announced on Sunday.

Nicknamed “The Cat” for his quick reflexes in goal, Bonetti made 729 appearances for the London club in two stints between 1960 and 1979 — second on the club’s all-time appearances list behind former defender Ron Harris.

“Chelsea Football Club is hugely saddened to announce the passing today of one of our indisputably all-time great players, Peter Bonetti,” the club said in a statement.

“Our former goalkeeper had been suffering from a long-term illness. All at Chelsea wish to send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to Peter’s family and friends.”

Bonetti kept over 200 clean sheets for the club over two decades and he also made seven England appearances.

He was a back-up goalkeeper to Gordon Banks in the squad that won the 1966 World Cup but he never played a match in the tournament.

However, he was blamed for the quarter-final loss at the 1970 World Cup when England, leading 2-0 in the second half, eventually lost 3-2. He had come into the side after Banks pulled out due to food poisoning.

Following his retirement, he was a goalkeeping coach with England, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Fulham and Manchester City.

 

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
More Sports
SportsHow Kuldeep Yadav's 'so-bad-that-it's-good' ball finally tamed the devastating Marco Jansen
India's Kuldeep Yadav, second from right, celebrates the wicket of South Africa's Marco Jansen during the first One Day International match between India and South Africa in Ranchi, India, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo)
SportsCould the FIFA World Cup draw kill the excitement of the Group of Death?
Hollywood star Robin Williams had provided the laughs at the 1994 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony. (Screengrab via YouTube)
SportsAs BCCI pushes for seniors to play domestic cricket, Virat Kohli says, 'I've never been a big believer of a lot of preparation'
Virat Kohli of India during the 1st ODI match between India and South Africa at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, India on November 30, 2025. (Photo: CREIMAS for BCCI)
SportsIn Kohli’s run-flood, how South Africa slipped on Ranchi’s dew
India defeated South Africa by 17 runs in the first ODI in Ranchi. (PHOTO: AP)

Indianexpress

Indianexpress

Indianexpress

Advertisement

Photos

Women's World Cup India vs South Africa
India defeat South Africa to win first-ever Women’s World Cup
Advertisement
Best of Express
Centre asks smartphone makers to preinstall its cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi on phones
Centre asks smartphone makers to preinstall its cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi on phones
Third suicide rocks KIIT University this year, student found dead in hostel room
kiit suicide
EntertainmentSamantha Ruth Prabhu shares first photos from wedding with Raj Nidimoru, shows off her stunning wedding ring
Samantha Ruth Prabhu-Raj Nidimoru wedding: The couple tied the knot on December 1.
EntertainmentAmitabh Bachchan may call marriage ‘biggest mistake of life,' says Jaya: 'I have been married to the same man for 52 years, can't love more than this'
Amitabh Bachchan
Trending'Rage bait' named Oxford Word of the Year 2025: What does it mean?
According to Casper Grathwohl, the president of Oxford Languages, while the internet used to gain traction through curiosity for clicks, it has been hijacking and influencing emotions
TrendingMan surprises girlfriend with Bollywood-style proposal at Times Square, video wins hearts: ‘Lucky woman’
In the viral video, Maniar can be seen dancing energetically with his squad as the crowd at New York’s Times Square stops to watch
SportsHow Kuldeep Yadav's 'so-bad-that-it's-good' ball finally tamed the devastating Marco Jansen
India's Kuldeep Yadav, second from right, celebrates the wicket of South Africa's Marco Jansen during the first One Day International match between India and South Africa in Ranchi, India, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo)
SportsCould the FIFA World Cup draw kill the excitement of the Group of Death?
Hollywood star Robin Williams had provided the laughs at the 1994 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony. (Screengrab via YouTube)
OpinionSchrodinger’s economy: Rising and slowing at the same time
Sectorally, a sizeable jump of around 9 per cent in manufacturing and services explains the stellar performance. But this was aided by a low base, sub one per cent deflator, frontloading of export orders to avoid tariffs and stockpiling for the festive season and GST rate cuts.
ExplainedWhy a new govt directive means your WhatsApp Web could soon log you out every 6 hours
For a global platform like WhatsApp, which has billions of users globally – and more than 500 million in India – it would mean re-engineering its service to meet Indian regulations, which are different from other countries.
Lifestyle‘I begged them to save me’: Anupam Kher recalls his frightening marijuana and bhaang experience; how it disrupts perception and triggers fear in users
Anupam Kher reflects on his unsettling early experiences with marijuana and bhang
TechnologyAustralia is banning children under 16 from social media: Here’s what happens now
social media
Advertisement
Dec 01: Latest News