Post by Macmoish on Oct 25, 2011 7:37:30 GMT
(One fine thing Chelsea are doing And I think some other clubs as well. It's something we've discussed before. Something we should be doing)
Chelsea Official Site
PAST PLAYERS’ TRUST – HALF A DECADE ON
Posted on: Tue 25 Oct 2011
For five years now the Chelsea Past Players' Trust has been quietly going about its important business.
Inspired by Tony Banks - the late MP who prior to his death in January 2006 put much effort into making sure Chelsea's first championship-winning side of 1954/55 was no longer a forgotten generation - the Trust was set up to raise money to help former Chelsea players and employees who need a helping hand, especially with medical concerns.
Its formation was announced by Chelsea Football Club chairman Bruce Buck, one of the Trust's directors, at the Annual Lunch in 2006 and each year since it has been able to assist in the way that Banks would have wished, not just for the class of '55 but for those who have served the club since and in the odd case, had served it before.
The Trust is one of the clearest manifestations of Chelsea's desire, since Roman Abramovich became owner, to celebrate our history and recognise those who contributed to our colourful story.Other moves in that direction have been the introduction of a more traditional club badge, the Peter Osgood statue at Stamford Bridge and the Chelsea Old Boys team moving under the club's umbrella and sponsorship.
A museum to mark our centenary was established at the Bridge and was recently relocated, upgraded and expanded, and the club regularly buys items of historic importance. There has been a concerted effort to make former players feel welcome.
Announcing the birth of the Trust back in 2006, Buck said: 'Since Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea we have helped a number of past players who were in need of medical or financial assistance. This was done on an ad hoc basis but Tony and the club wanted to do more.
'Discussions had already started before Tony's passing and his death served as a further impetus to set up the Trust.
'Not only will the Trust directly help past players and other employees in need, but it will also ensure that these players maintain their rightful place as a crucial part of the club's soul.'
Now part of the Chelsea Foundation, money has been raised by a variety of means including the CPO Annual Lunch, Chelsea Old Boys games, golf days, a lottery, raffles, a quiz night, the sale of a Champions book collecting the match programmes from '54/'55, Star on a Stool events and other special evenings, plus donations from individuals and supporters' clubs. The top image is Buck accepting a donation on behalf of the Trust from the Chelsea In America supporters' club.
The Rev. Martin Swan (pictured below left), a lifelong Chelsea fan who conducted the Peter Osgood memorial service at Stamford Bridge in October 2006, acts as chaplain for the Trust.
'I have been able to visit many of the old players and for plenty of them it is not a financial matter necessarily, it is more to do with quality of life,' he says.
'I feel very proud to watch Chelsea look after not just the old boys but their families as well and without exception, each who has benefited has been overwhelmed by the generosity and that they are still considered part of the Chelsea family.
'We should be proud that the club is supporting anybody who ever played no matter what generation or however many games they played. Some absolute legends in the eyes of the fans are being well looked after in this way.'
Although confidentiality is respected, Chic Thomson, goalkeeper for the '54/'55 championship-winning side, was one of the first assisted with the cost of his heart surgery paid and wanted that to be known. Prior to his death, Thomson was able to attend an Annual Lunch to thank the Trust. Knee and hip replacement operations have also been funded as well as nursing care and mobility assistance.
As recently as last week the Trust was responsible for the funeral of Reg Williams (above right) who had been our oldest ex-player. Swan conducted it and Buck attended to represent the club.
'Whenever I meet Mr Buck he always asks how are the old boys,' says Swan, who drives our '54/'55 championship-winning captain Roy Bentley to every home game from his nursing home in Reading.
'Nothing is too small and nothing is too large for the Trust to become involved. I get contacted by someone connected with it to tell me a player has some sort of difficulty and I visit the family and report back. It is a charity and we make sure we steward the money properly.'
Two Chelsea greats, our highest appearance-makers Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti (pictured below right with Chic Thomson) , both praise the work of the Trust and the manner in which the modern Chelsea embraces our history.
'It's excellent the Trust can do things such as helping to fund an operation for a former player who simply wouldn't be able to afford it himself,' says Harris.
Bonetti adds: 'It was a hard career on the body in the past. I know players who have arthritis that is down to the game and although you can't blame it on anyone because that was their chosen profession and they decided to play on, the Trust is an excellent idea in being able to help players who did not earn good money. They can have something done that they probably could not do for themselves.
'The Trust is a fantastic way of saying that you played for Chelsea so we are going to look after you. This is a fantastic club which is very respectful of what you have done for Chelsea as a past player. All the directors and staff I come into contact with are very amenable and only too pleased to give us a helping hand if ever it is needed. It is first class.
'It is lovely to still be associated with the club on match days and have the chance to meet the fans who watched us in past.'
Harris agrees: 'I've been doing hospitality at the club for a number of years now and it's brilliant to still have a connection after all this time.
'It's lovely to still feel like a part of the club, not just for me personally, but for all the old boys.'
Tickets for this year's Annual Lunch, which will be raising funds for the Past Players' Trust and the Chelsea Foundation, are still available. The event is on Friday 18 November. Click on Annual Lunch for details and booking. www.chelseafc.com/page/UpcomingEventsDetails/0,,10268~2102536,00.html
www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2492941,00.html
Chelsea Official Site
PAST PLAYERS’ TRUST – HALF A DECADE ON
Posted on: Tue 25 Oct 2011
For five years now the Chelsea Past Players' Trust has been quietly going about its important business.
Inspired by Tony Banks - the late MP who prior to his death in January 2006 put much effort into making sure Chelsea's first championship-winning side of 1954/55 was no longer a forgotten generation - the Trust was set up to raise money to help former Chelsea players and employees who need a helping hand, especially with medical concerns.
Its formation was announced by Chelsea Football Club chairman Bruce Buck, one of the Trust's directors, at the Annual Lunch in 2006 and each year since it has been able to assist in the way that Banks would have wished, not just for the class of '55 but for those who have served the club since and in the odd case, had served it before.
The Trust is one of the clearest manifestations of Chelsea's desire, since Roman Abramovich became owner, to celebrate our history and recognise those who contributed to our colourful story.Other moves in that direction have been the introduction of a more traditional club badge, the Peter Osgood statue at Stamford Bridge and the Chelsea Old Boys team moving under the club's umbrella and sponsorship.
A museum to mark our centenary was established at the Bridge and was recently relocated, upgraded and expanded, and the club regularly buys items of historic importance. There has been a concerted effort to make former players feel welcome.
Announcing the birth of the Trust back in 2006, Buck said: 'Since Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea we have helped a number of past players who were in need of medical or financial assistance. This was done on an ad hoc basis but Tony and the club wanted to do more.
'Discussions had already started before Tony's passing and his death served as a further impetus to set up the Trust.
'Not only will the Trust directly help past players and other employees in need, but it will also ensure that these players maintain their rightful place as a crucial part of the club's soul.'
Now part of the Chelsea Foundation, money has been raised by a variety of means including the CPO Annual Lunch, Chelsea Old Boys games, golf days, a lottery, raffles, a quiz night, the sale of a Champions book collecting the match programmes from '54/'55, Star on a Stool events and other special evenings, plus donations from individuals and supporters' clubs. The top image is Buck accepting a donation on behalf of the Trust from the Chelsea In America supporters' club.
The Rev. Martin Swan (pictured below left), a lifelong Chelsea fan who conducted the Peter Osgood memorial service at Stamford Bridge in October 2006, acts as chaplain for the Trust.
'I have been able to visit many of the old players and for plenty of them it is not a financial matter necessarily, it is more to do with quality of life,' he says.
'I feel very proud to watch Chelsea look after not just the old boys but their families as well and without exception, each who has benefited has been overwhelmed by the generosity and that they are still considered part of the Chelsea family.
'We should be proud that the club is supporting anybody who ever played no matter what generation or however many games they played. Some absolute legends in the eyes of the fans are being well looked after in this way.'
Although confidentiality is respected, Chic Thomson, goalkeeper for the '54/'55 championship-winning side, was one of the first assisted with the cost of his heart surgery paid and wanted that to be known. Prior to his death, Thomson was able to attend an Annual Lunch to thank the Trust. Knee and hip replacement operations have also been funded as well as nursing care and mobility assistance.
As recently as last week the Trust was responsible for the funeral of Reg Williams (above right) who had been our oldest ex-player. Swan conducted it and Buck attended to represent the club.
'Whenever I meet Mr Buck he always asks how are the old boys,' says Swan, who drives our '54/'55 championship-winning captain Roy Bentley to every home game from his nursing home in Reading.
'Nothing is too small and nothing is too large for the Trust to become involved. I get contacted by someone connected with it to tell me a player has some sort of difficulty and I visit the family and report back. It is a charity and we make sure we steward the money properly.'
Two Chelsea greats, our highest appearance-makers Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti (pictured below right with Chic Thomson) , both praise the work of the Trust and the manner in which the modern Chelsea embraces our history.
'It's excellent the Trust can do things such as helping to fund an operation for a former player who simply wouldn't be able to afford it himself,' says Harris.
Bonetti adds: 'It was a hard career on the body in the past. I know players who have arthritis that is down to the game and although you can't blame it on anyone because that was their chosen profession and they decided to play on, the Trust is an excellent idea in being able to help players who did not earn good money. They can have something done that they probably could not do for themselves.
'The Trust is a fantastic way of saying that you played for Chelsea so we are going to look after you. This is a fantastic club which is very respectful of what you have done for Chelsea as a past player. All the directors and staff I come into contact with are very amenable and only too pleased to give us a helping hand if ever it is needed. It is first class.
'It is lovely to still be associated with the club on match days and have the chance to meet the fans who watched us in past.'
Harris agrees: 'I've been doing hospitality at the club for a number of years now and it's brilliant to still have a connection after all this time.
'It's lovely to still feel like a part of the club, not just for me personally, but for all the old boys.'
Tickets for this year's Annual Lunch, which will be raising funds for the Past Players' Trust and the Chelsea Foundation, are still available. The event is on Friday 18 November. Click on Annual Lunch for details and booking. www.chelseafc.com/page/UpcomingEventsDetails/0,,10268~2102536,00.html
www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2492941,00.html