Through the 1960s and then into the following decade, Peter Bonetti, who died yesterday at the age of 78, was considered one of the most agile and dependable goalkeepers playing in top-flight English football – the Chelsea man held in such regard, the only other members of an elite band perfusing the same level of goalkeeping excellence being Gordon Banks (Leicester City/Stoke City) and Pat Jennings (Spurs).
Of the three – and it may be splitting goalkeeping infinitives when considering a trio who among the very finest to have played the game – it is tempting to say Bonetti was blessed with the sharpest reflexes.
Year on year his breath-taking agility was a standard feature of the domestic football season; the leap, blur of green, an outstretched arm, the ball behind the goal or in the crowd. There would follow a split-second while those around, whether playing or on the terraces, caught their breath in believing what they had just seen – in that instant Bonetti back on his feet and preparing to deal with the ensuing corner-kick.
Like Banks and Jennings, his safe handling and great positional play were matched by a sound temperament, an unruffled presence when the action was at its most demanding.
Born in Putney, London on September 27 1941, Bonetti made his Chelsea debut as a teenager in 1960 and for the next nineteen years had virtually an unbroken run as their first choice goalkeeper. Breaking into the team when Chelsea were in the second division, he was a member of their promotion winning side of 1962-63, a side that along with Bonetti contained such fine young talent as John Hollins, Barry Bridges, Terry Venables and Bobby Tambling.
Under the guidance of manager Tommy Docherty, Chelsea quickly became an established first division force, winning the League Cup in 1965. With Bonetti – by now dubbed ‘The Cat’ – becoming renowned for his fine mix of safe and spectacular play, he was selected as a member of the England squad to contest the 1966 World Cup.
Despite not making an appearance when Alf Ramsey’s men went on to win the Jules Rimet Trophy, Bonetti, along with the other members of squad not in the team for the final against West Germany (in that era only the eleven who played received medals) was awarded a World Cup winners medal in 2009.
Bonetti was back at Wembley the year after England won the World Cup, collecting a runners-up medal when Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the 1967 FA Cup Final. Three years later Chelsea, now managed by Dave Sexton, returned to face Leeds United in the final – and on a heavily-sanded, badly rutted pitch, the occasion found Bonetti at the peak of his form, not only making a series of outstanding reflex saves as reigning league champions Leeds dominate the game, but also giving a near faultless handling display in atrocious conditions.
Due to the match ending 2-2 after extra-time, the teams contested a replay at Old Trafford three weeks later. In the first half Bonetti suffered a leg injury after being strongly challenged by Leeds striker Mick Jones, still limping when the same player fired Leeds ahead shortly afterward. Although suffering from a lack of mobility, he performs with customary aplomb – Bonetti winning an FA Cup winners medal as Chelsea come back to win 2-1, the replay also going to extra-time.
Selected for the England squad as they bid to defend their world champions title at the 1970 Mexico World Cup, he was drafted into the team for the quarter-final against West Germany when Banks was stricken with food poisoning. Controlling the game as the 70th minute approached, England relinquished a two goal lead and ultimately suffer a 3-2 extra-time defeat – displaying out of character nervousness in the final twenty minutes, as the West Germans hit back to level Bonetti is beaten by a shot and header that in normal circumstances would have brought routine saves.
Receiving blame from the media and England supporters for the defeat, it proved his ninth and final international appearance.
Back with Chelsea, however, Bonetti was once more in exemplary form as their 1970 FA Cup success was followed twelve months later by a European Cup Winners Cup triumph. Once again needing a replay to achieve victory, in the second match Bonetti produced a succession of top draw saves as Chelsea overcame Real Madrid 2-1.
After collecting another runners-up medal when Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Stoke City in the 1972 League Cup Final, Bonetti continued his career for another seven seasons, playing his last game for the club in May 1979 by which time he made 729 appearances – a total second only to that of 1970 FA Cup winning captain Ron Harris.
In the years that followed Bonetti became a highly-respected goalkeeping coach, going on to serve Manchester City, Newcastle United, England and Chelsea in this capacity – but by football followers he will be best remembered for wonderful finger-tip saves that displayed coordination and nimbleness of the highest order.
Cat-like you might say.
NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of ‘MONTY’S DOUBLE‘ – an acclaimed thriller now available as an Amazon Kindle book.
