Roy Bentley. Chelsea and Newcastle Legend.

For those of you at the game on Sunday that didn't know who Roy Bentley was ( the guy that was introduced to the crowd at half time ) here's a little something from NUFC.com. He was a very popular player back in the day and was liked by players and fans alike.

1924 Roy Bentley born, Shirehampton, Bristol. (1946-48)

Roy was known as a centre half when he began his playing career with Bristol Rovers, Bristol City and Liverpool (the latter under the assumed name of Smith) while serving as an Able Seaman in the Royal Navy.

Converted to a striker by the time he moved to Tyneside in June 1946, Roy was an immediate hit at SJP and a regular scorer.

However he abruptedly left midway through the 1947/48 promotion season, moving to Chelsea as a £12,500 replacement for their star man Tommy Lawton.

Bentley maintains he "had to leave because of the North-east air. I was so fatigued and the doctor told me it would be better if I moved south. He said, 'If you stay and fight it you could end up with TB'."

That does seem to be a little odd given his wartime service on convoy escort ships going up to Murmansk in Russia...

After a slow start at Stamford Bridge, Roy came good and was to finish as top scorer in each of his seasons at the Blues.

The highlight was a 22 goal haul as his side won the title in the 1954/55 season, a total that including a hat trick against Newcastle in a 4-3 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Just over a year later Roy made the switch to nearby Fulham, where he converted back to centre half. QPR then became his final club for a two year spell from 1961.

Winning 12 full England caps during his career, Roy entered management with Reading in 1963, remaining in charge at Elem Park until 1969.

He also managed Swansea Town, scouted for Bradford City and took charge of non -league Thatcham Town. A return to Reading saw him serve as club secretary and Roy settled in the town, later holding a similar position at Aldershot Town

Bentley's autobiography "Roy Wonder" was published in 2005 and a restaurant bears his name at Stamford Bridge.

Two days before his 87th birthday, Roy was a special guest on the pitch at Stamford Bridge during the half time break, receiving warm applause from both Chelsea and Newcastle fans.

 

Saw him at half time on Sunday, thought they would have mentioned that he played for us also. Mind you, I may have missed a bit while queueing to take a piss at half time.

 

Not many TOON fans would have known he'd played for us. I've seen him before when I've been at Chelsea games in the days when he was a bit fitter and walked to the ground.

Still had his long blonde curly hair in those days. Not so long to give the wrong impression though.