Peter Bonetti

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Peter Phillip "The Cat" Bonetti (born September 27, 1941 in Putney, London, of Swiss parents who had emigrated from the Alpine Lakes region of Italy) was a football goalkeeper for Chelsea F.C., the St. Louis Stars and England.

Chelsea signed him from the Reading youth team. He made 729 appearances for Chelsea between 1959 and 1979, a record at the time and in one season managed 21 clean sheets. He conceded only one goal or no goals in two-thirds of his games for Chelsea. Towards the end of career he spent one season with the St. Louis Stars in the NASL. His international career is unfortunately remembered for his last game - in the Template:Wc in Mexico, as a replacement for Gordon Banks in the quarter-final when West Germany came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2. That game was Bonetti's only World Cup appearance. He conceded just one goal in his other six England matches.

Bonetti was known for his safe handling, and lightning reflexes. He was one of only two goalkeepers (Gordon West of Everton and England was the other.) who specialised in a one-armed throw which could achieve a similar distance to a drop kick.

After leaving Chelsea in 1979, Bonetti moved to the Isle of Mull where he became a postman. While living in Scotland, he briefly came out of retirement to play several games for Dundee United.

Bonetti at one time held the record for most appearances for a single club by a goalkeeper, but was overtaken in the 1990s by Portsmouth F.C.'s Alan Knight.de:Peter Bonetti no:Peter Bonetti