Chelsea legend Peter Bonetti has passed away aged 78 after a long battle with illness.

The former England international, who was affectionately known as The Cat, won seven caps for his country and was part of the Blues side that won the FA Cup in 1970.

Bonetti is the second all-time appearance maker for the Blues, behind only Ron Harris, after featuring in 729 matches from 1959 to 1979, while he kept 208 clean sheets, surpassed only recently by Petr Cech in 2014.

A statement from the Blues read: “Chelsea Football Club is hugely saddened to announce the passing today of one of our indisputably all-time great players, Peter Bonetti.

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

Assistant manager Jody Morris paid tribute to Bonetti on social media, writing: “RIP Peter Bonetti, a Chelsea legend and also the goalie coach when I first got into England Under-21s in 1996.”

While goalkeeping great Neville Southall also paid tribute: “RIP my friend and one time goalkeeping coach Peter Bonetti. A lovely lovely guy. A fabulous goalkeeper. A great coach. A truly fantastic gentleman. Thanks for all your help.”

Alongside the famous 1970 FA Cup win, Bonetti was twice promoted with the Blues to the First Division, as well as winning the 1964-65 League Cup and the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971.

Bonetti enjoyed a brief spell with the St Louis Stars in 1975 sandwich in the middle of his 20-year associations with the Blues.

He would later play for Dundee United and Woking before hanging up the gloves for good in 1987.

Bonetti’s legacy is partially down to his innovation at the position, thriving despite his height at less than six feet tall, while also known as the first in his role to utilise gardening gloves in handling slippery winter balls.

He would roll the ball out in preference over the traditional tactic at the time of thumping the ball long.

While Bonetti would frequently come off his line, defying his stature to emerge from a crowd of bodies with high catches inside the box.

His impact on the international stage was limited due to the excellence of Gordon Banks ahead of him for the Three Lions, though he was part of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad, though he did not play a game.

His excellence was nonetheless recognised worldwide, with Pele placing him in esteemed company.

“The three greatest goalkeepers I have ever seen are Gordon Banks, Lev Yashin and Peter Bonetti,” proclaimed the Brazilian.

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