Chelsea Great Of Yesteryear Passes

Stan Willemse has passed away aged 86 and all of us here at Just Chelsea News pass on our best wishes to all of his family and friends. 

Stan was a no nonsense defender who was part of the Championship winning side of 1955 playing a total of 36 games that season. In all he played 221 times during his seven years at Stamford Bridge, and he was once described as the hardest defender playing the game, by Tom Finney no less.

Greyhound racing was Stan’s first love, so much so that no sooner had the League title been won Stan was on his way to watch his dog run rather than join in the celebrations.

Players played for the love of the game years ago, not for the money like they do today, and that is born out by the fact that when Chelsea won
the league in 1955 the players were rewarded with a new suit! Imagine offering the highly overpaid ‘stars’ of today that as a win bonus. 

The current Chelsea team will pay tribute to Stan Willemse by wearing black armbands in their opening home fixture at Stamford Bridge on 20^th August when West Brom are the visitors. RIP Stan you will long be remembered for the part you played in the history of Chelsea Football Club.