Peter Osgood

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Osgood's journey began in Windsor, where he worked as a bricklayer before an uncle secured him a trial at Chelsea. Signed as a junior in February 1964, he made his debut on 16 December 1964 against Workington AFC, scoring both goals in a 2–0 League Cup win. His reserves form was prolific, netting 30 goals in just 20 games. After an end-of-season tour of Australia where he scored 12 times in eight matches, he impressed in the 'Battle of the Bridge' against AS Roma on 22 September 1965. Although a broken leg from Emlyn Hughes sidelined him for the 1967 FA Cup final, manager Dave Sexton later utilized him effectively as a midfielder wearing number 4 during the 1968–69 season. Despite this versatility, he remains celebrated primarily as a centre-forward.

In Their Own Story

The climax of Osgood's first era arrived in the 1970 FA Cup Final replay against Leeds United at Old Trafford. Twelve minutes from full-time, Charlie Cooke chipped a pass to Osgood, who headed in the equaliser before Chelsea won 2–1. This victory made him one of only nine players to score in every round of the FA Cup. The following year, he was instrumental in the European Cup Winners' Cup triumph over Real Madrid in Athens. After the first leg ended 1–1, Osgood scored both goals in the replay; his second goal put Chelsea 2–0 up before they secured a 2–1 win. His career also included a heartbreaking loss in the 1972 League Cup final to Stoke City and a BBC Goal of the Season award for a volley against Arsenal in 1972–73.

Reader's Guide

Osgood's career path took him from Chelsea to Southampton in March 1974 for a club-record £275,000 fee following disagreements with manager Dave Sexton. At Southampton, he won the FA Cup again in 1976 with a 1–0 victory over Manchester United before leaving in November 1977. He then had a brief loan at Norwich City and a stint with the Philadelphia Fury in the US on a $90,000 contract, scoring only one goal in 23 matches due to high taxes driving his departure from England. He returned to Chelsea in December 1978, scoring on his debut despite a 7–2 loss to Middlesbrough, before retiring in December 1979. His total record at Chelsea stands at 289 appearances and 105 goals.

Did You Know?

• Osgood was working as a bricklayer when his uncle wrote to Chelsea on his behalf to secure a trial.
• He is the last player to date to score in every round of the FA Cup.
• On the same afternoon he married Rosemary Heather Snow in 1964, Osgood scored a hat-trick for Chelsea against Peterborough.
• In 2007, Andriy Shevchenko scored the first penalty at the Shed End since Osgood's ashes were buried under the penalty spot in October 2006.