Monday, January 23, 2012

The Club will be hosting its next Sporting Dinner event on Friday 11 May, with a 7.00pm start , when former Chelsea defender Ron 'Chopper' Harris will be in the guest speaker's chair.

Harris stands alone in any list of Chelsea greats, simply because he played more games for the club than any other individual, a grand total of 795, in which he contributed fourteen goals.

As a junior, he helped the Blues win the FA Youth Cup in 1961, making his first team debut in February 1962, aged just seventeen. He then featured in the last five games of their promotion winning season of 1962/63, including the crucial 1-0 win at rivals Sunderland.

For the next eighteen years, Harris was a virtual permanent fixture in the team. He earned a League Cup winners medal in 1965, and then led the team out as captain in four major finals between 1967 and 1972. His greatest moments were becoming the first Chelsea captain to lift the FA Cup, and also the first to lift a European trophy, the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971.

He remained at Stamford Bridge throughout the 1970s, at a time when many of Chelsea's star names were leaving. His loyalty shone through, despite losing the captaincy to a young Ray Wilkins, and the club suffering two relegations. He eventually left to join Brentford as player/coach in 1980.

Harris could play anywhere in defence, and is best remembered for his tough tackling and uncompromising style, which combined to earn him the nickname 'Chopper.' Even at a time when it seemed that every team had a hard man, Harris stood out as a fierce competitor.

For further details, or for booking enquiries, please contact United Chairman Dave Walters on 07970 165102, via the Club on 01424 444635, or by email to davewalters@idnetfreemail.co.uk.