OSGOOD WAS GOOD

February 20th 1947 was the day Peter Osgood was born. Today is the anniversary of his birth. He died on March 1st 2006, far too early for a man who had thrilled Chelsea and not enough England fans during his illustrious career. Cast your eyes over this tribute:
http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/02/peter-osgood--in-words--pictures-and-video.html
and here he is outside Stamford Bridge.

Ossie played only 4 times for England at a time when his type of centre forward player was not regarded as good enough at that level.
Born in Windsor, Osgood made his debut at 17 for Chelsea in the league Cup, scoring against AFC Workington. He played 279 times for the Blues between 1964 and 1974 and scored 103 goals. He was not needed in the England 1966 World Cup final squad despite making it into the original 40. His playboy lifestyle did not suit Alf.
A broken leg following a challenge by Emlyn Hughes in October 1966 put him out of the game so that he missed Chelsea's FA Cup Final in 1967.
His transfer to Southampton was for a Chelsea record fee of £725,00. This move was a bit of a shock but lifestyle choice was cited (however he continued to perform and won an FA Cup medal against Man Utd with the Saints in 1976). Between 1974-77 in 126 apps he  only managed 28 goals in a side that was known for entertainment!
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/scored-in-every-round.html
There was a loan spell at Norwich when he played just 3 matches and then in 1977 he went to Philadelphia Fury (22 apps 1 goal) and back to Chelsea in 1978-9 with 10 apps and 2 goals. Overall he played 440 times at the top level and scored 134 goals.
He played for England 4 times, remarkably during his pomp in the 1970s.

In retirement he ran a pub with Ian Hutchinson in Windsor (The Union) which was ill fated, he fell out with Ken Bates over criticism of the club in the 1990s and was re-instated by Abramovich later as he continued to work in hospitality! He suffered a heart attack but continued to work at the club and in media and after his tragic death his ashes were buried beneath the Shed End penalty spot.