TheChels.net – Where Are They Now?
Jackie Crawford joined Chelsea from Hull City in 1923 for a fee of £3,000. He was signed as a right winger but was soon asked to switch to the left to make room for Alex Jackson. He went onto produce some outstanding displays and appeared in an all-star front line which included Hughie Gallacher, Alex Cheyne and Andy Wilson. An eternal optimist, Crawford was highly influential in the Chelsea dressing…
Nicknamed ‘Ivor the Engine’ because of work rate following his £90,000 switch from Fulham. A qualified teacher, he worked as a PE instructor during his non league days. Three of his six goals for the Blues came against Everton at Goodison Park, but he couldn’t dislodge Kerry Dixon and David Speedie. Was sold to Manchester City for £75,000 after less than a year. After hanging up his boots, Davies became…
Samuele Dalla Bona signed while captain of the Italian under-18 side. He was Chelsea’s Young Player of the Year in 1998-99 after netting 16 goals for the reserves but had to wait for Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet to leave before getting an extended run in the first team in 2001. Things turned sour the next season when he turned down the chance of a new contract because he wanted…
Signed for the Blues on schoolboy forms before working his way through the ranks making his first team debut against Middlesbrough nine months after turning professional. He went from strength to strength in Geoff Hurst’s promotion chasing side in 1980 but he played most of his games in blue as part of the struggling Division Two side and it resulted in a slump in form. He was eventually allowed to…
Spanish midfielder Enrique “Quique” de Lucas Martínez arrived at Stamford Bridge on a four year contract in the summer of 2002 as one of the hottest properties in Le Liga. Enjoyed a good first season with the club, mainly playing on the right, and was unlucky not to get a look in at the start of the 2002/2003 season, before being allowed to join Alaves on a free transfer. Since…
One of the most skillful players ever to have pulled on a Chelsea shirt and is certainly one of the most popular. A truly great entertainer who played in four Cup Finals during his ten years at Stamford Bridge, as his Chelsea career was split into two parts either side of a 16 month stint at Crystal Palace. He had arrived at the club as a direct replacement for Terry…
Aged only 18, he was the most expensive teenager in club history when he cost £2.25 million from Belgian outfit Anderlecht in April 1997. He was already an established international with an Olympic Gold medal and won over the Stamford Bridge faithful when he made his debut against Leicester City. He faced competition from Graeme Le Saux and then Wayne Bridge during his time at the club but was part…
Was one of a handful of players recruited by Ted Drake out of the amateur ranks. Wasn’t really considered to be a first team regular except in 1957-1958 when he made 24 appearances. Was sold to Plymouth Argyle inn 1958 for £12,000 plus Wally Bellett. Moved back to Essex and spent 25 years working for Dagenham Cables as a training officer until being offered early retirement. He was awarded an…
Joined from non league Hillingdon Borough and became the first black player in club history when he made his league debut as a substitute against Crystal Palace in April 1982. Survived the gauntlet of racial abuse to help the club to the Second Division title in 1984, but within two years was sold to Reading for £50,000. Since retiring at the age of 24 through injury he has survived cancer…
A schools’ sprint champion who was the complete striker and a key player for the club during the Docherty era. Dropped to allow a young Peter Osgood to play regularly but was reinstated following a fans’ petition. His Stamford Bridge career came to end a year later however when he was sent home from the airport prior to the first leg of a Fairs Cup tie with Barcelona. After hanging…