Peter Houseman

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

Top Chelsea winger  -killed 39 years ago today with his wife and friends.

 

Bit from Wikipaedia

He didn't miss a match during the 1969–70 season. His most significant contribution to Chelsea came in their FA Cup success in 1970, with Houseman scoring a total of 6 goals in that season's competition. His first 2 goals came when Chelsea faced Burnley in the fourth round; after a draw a Stamford Bridge, the side travelled to Burnley's home ground, Turf Moor, for the replay and, with eighteen minutes left, were trailing 1–0. Houseman picked up the ball in his own half and dribbled through the Burnley midfield, riding several challenges. He reached the opposition penalty area and smashed a shot into the top corner to equalise. In extra time, Houseman provided the cross for Tommy Baldwin to put Chelsea ahead, and then completed the comeback by scoring the third.

He scored again in the 4–1 away win at Crystal Palace in the fifth round, and then in the semi-final against Watford, with the Second Division side holding Chelsea at 1–1, Houseman again played a key part, crossing for Osgood to give Chelsea a 2–1 lead and then adding two more himself in an eventual 5–1 win. Chelsea faced Leeds United in the final, and it was Houseman who scored Chelsea's first equaliser just before half time, his low shot from 25 yards benefiting from the poor pitch to elude Leeds goalkeeper Gary Sprake, though he spent much of the game trying to cover the team's over-stretched defence. The match ended 2–2 and Chelsea won the replay at Old Trafford to take the cup.

 

RIP

[OhForAGreavsie 6,057]

Remember that Wembley goal like it was yesterday.

A few seasons later the club put on a testimonial for his family which I went to. I'll have a look for the program at the weekend. If it contains anything that can be added to what has been said above I'll scan and post it.

R.I.P. Peter.

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

26 minutes ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

Remember that Wembley goal like it was yesterday.

A few seasons later the club put on a testimonial for his family which I went to. I'll have a look for the program at the weekend. If it contains anything that can be added to what has been said above I'll scan and post it.

R.I.P. Peter.

Nice one OFG. Still have programmes where he was a regular No 11 on the back. The days when there were no substitutes -just one 'reserve'. When men were men, jumpers for goalposts etc

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

One of our best wingers

 

[Vesper 30,085]

2 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

One of our best wingers

 

Houseman was killed along with his wife and two friends in a car crash on the A40 near Oxford in March 1977 whilst driving home from a fund-raising charity event.

The accident occurred when a speeding driver, 22-year-old Bartholomew Smith, the son of Tory MP John Smith, veered into Houseman's vehicle, travelling in the opposite direction.

Smith was subsequently tried and sentenced to a £4,000 fine plus having his driving licence revoked for ten years.

An expert witness at the trial claimed that Smith had been driving at "maniacal" speed and was "considerably intoxicated", allegedly after a Bullingdon Club dinner.

A testimonial match between the 1970 and 1977 Chelsea teams was arranged to raise money for the Housemans' orphaned children, with a crowd of almost 17,000 in attendance. The footballer was a hero in the village of Oakley in Hampshire, where he had set up and coached a youth football team. There is now a youth league named after him in the area.

In 2018 Bartholomew Smith was awarded an OBE for services to charity.

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

10 hours ago, Vesper said:

Houseman was killed along with his wife and two friends in a car crash on the A40 near Oxford in March 1977 whilst driving home from a fund-raising charity event.

The accident occurred when a speeding driver, 22-year-old Bartholomew Smith, the son of Tory MP John Smith, veered into Houseman's vehicle, travelling in the opposite direction.

Smith was subsequently tried and sentenced to a £4,000 fine plus having his driving licence revoked for ten years.

An expert witness at the trial claimed that Smith had been driving at "maniacal" speed and was "considerably intoxicated", allegedly after a Bullingdon Club dinner.

A testimonial match between the 1970 and 1977 Chelsea teams was arranged to raise money for the Housemans' orphaned children, with a crowd of almost 17,000 in attendance. The footballer was a hero in the village of Oakley in Hampshire, where he had set up and coached a youth football team. There is now a youth league named after him in the area.

In 2018 Bartholomew Smith was awarded an OBE for services to charity.

Yeah I knew about the upper class links -the Judge, the MP, the Bullingdon brat - Definitely Class based justice. 

Imagine if a working class person was pissed, off his trolley on yeyo and killed four rich cunts

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

Got his autograph somewhere - along with Chopper, Hutch, Ossie, Mcreadie, and Charlie Cooke

[OhForAGreavsie 6,057]

On 21/03/2016 at 16:19, OhForAGreavsie said:

Remember that Wembley goal like it was yesterday.

A few seasons later the club put on a testimonial for his family which I went to. I'll have a look for the program at the weekend. If it contains anything that can be added to what has been said above I'll scan and post it.

R.I.P. Peter.

Days when Chopper would play for the reserves in the morning and sit on the bench for the first team in the afternoon. 🙂

[bigbluewillie 1,930]

On 17/06/2025 at 21:45, Vesper said:

Houseman was killed along with his wife and two friends in a car crash on the A40 near Oxford in March 1977 whilst driving home from a fund-raising charity event.

The accident occurred when a speeding driver, 22-year-old Bartholomew Smith, the son of Tory MP John Smith, veered into Houseman's vehicle, travelling in the opposite direction.

Smith was subsequently tried and sentenced to a £4,000 fine plus having his driving licence revoked for ten years.

An expert witness at the trial claimed that Smith had been driving at "maniacal" speed and was "considerably intoxicated", allegedly after a Bullingdon Club dinner.

A testimonial match between the 1970 and 1977 Chelsea teams was arranged to raise money for the Housemans' orphaned children, with a crowd of almost 17,000 in attendance. The footballer was a hero in the village of Oakley in Hampshire, where he had set up and coached a youth football team. There is now a youth league named after him in the area.

In 2018 Bartholomew Smith was awarded an OBE for services to charity.

Pissed killed 4 people and got a fine.

Should have got at least 25 years.