Chelsea legend Tommy Baldwin dies aged 78

[Vesper 30,297]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-tommy-baldwin-dead-Chelsea-31943091

Chelsea legend Tommy Baldwin has died aged 78.

Tommy Baldwin, who represented England at youth level, played for the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Brentford and Arsenal during his memorable playing career

Baldwin was part of the Chelsea side that defeated Leeds in the 1970 FA Cup final and Real Madrid in the 1971 European Cup Winners' Cup final. The forward, who also played as a winger, scored 92 goals in 239 games for the Blues to cement his place in their history.

Born in Gateshead, Baldwin started his career at Arsenal before spending eight years at Stamford Bridge. He also completed stints at Millwall and Manchester United - as well as a short spell in the United States with Seattle Sounders - before retiring at Brentford.

Chelsea have led the tributes to Baldwin. "It is with enormous sadness that Chelsea Football Club announces the passing today at the age of 78 of our former forward Tommy Baldwin, following a long illness," read the west London club's statement. "We send our heartfelt condolences to Tommy’s family and friends."

Chelsea have described Baldwin as "one of the less-glamorous players in a famously flamboyant side" but "an important cog in the squad that regularly reached cup finals". They've also called him "the leader of the team" - as per his famous song at Stamford Bridge.

Baldwin represented England at youth level but was never selected to play for the senior team. He also appeared in the 1967 FA Cup final and 1972 League Cup final, which Chelsea lost to Tottenham and Stoke respectively, and worked as a coach at Brentford.

Baldwin often appeared at Stamford Bridge as a matchday host. As per Chelsea's tribute, he was "always happy for the chance to reunite with team-mates with whom he shared such glorious times and meet fans who had enjoyed them so much."

Baldwin won the FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup with Chelsea

Chelsea Supporters' Trust have also paid tribute to Baldwin. They wrote on X: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tommy Baldwin. The thoughts of the CST board and all our members around the world are with Tommy's family at this difficult time."

Other Chelsea fans have also paid their respects on X. "RIP The Sponge," wrote one supporter, referring to Baldwin's nickname at Stamford Bridge. "I joined the Tommy Baldwin Fan Club as a boy. Just a wonderful servant to our great club."

Baldwin was known as 'The Sponge' for two reasons. Firstly, because of his ability to hold up the ball and bring his team-mates into play. And secondly, because of his ability to drink large amount of booze while bonding with his team-mates in the pub. Both of those were welcomed attributes in English football during the 1960s and 1970s.

Baldwin once joked: "There's a little bit of truth in all of them. But it (the nickname) did originally come from allegedly having a sponge in my stomach!"

Edited January 22, 2024 by Vesper

[Fulham Broadway 17,363]

On 22/01/2024 at 22:34, Vesper said:

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-tommy-baldwin-dead-Chelsea-31943091

Chelsea legend Tommy Baldwin has died aged 78.

Tommy Baldwin, who represented England at youth level, played for the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Brentford and Arsenal during his memorable playing career

Baldwin was part of the Chelsea side that defeated Leeds in the 1970 FA Cup final and Real Madrid in the 1971 European Cup Winners' Cup final. The forward, who also played as a winger, scored 92 goals in 239 games for the Blues to cement his place in their history.

Born in Gateshead, Baldwin started his career at Arsenal before spending eight years at Stamford Bridge. He also completed stints at Millwall and Manchester United - as well as a short spell in the United States with Seattle Sounders - before retiring at Brentford.

Chelsea have led the tributes to Baldwin. "It is with enormous sadness that Chelsea Football Club announces the passing today at the age of 78 of our former forward Tommy Baldwin, following a long illness," read the west London club's statement. "We send our heartfelt condolences to Tommy’s family and friends."

Chelsea have described Baldwin as "one of the less-glamorous players in a famously flamboyant side" but "an important cog in the squad that regularly reached cup finals". They've also called him "the leader of the team" - as per his famous song at Stamford Bridge.

Baldwin represented England at youth level but was never selected to play for the senior team. He also appeared in the 1967 FA Cup final and 1972 League Cup final, which Chelsea lost to Tottenham and Stoke respectively, and worked as a coach at Brentford.

Baldwin often appeared at Stamford Bridge as a matchday host. As per Chelsea's tribute, he was "always happy for the chance to reunite with team-mates with whom he shared such glorious times and meet fans who had enjoyed them so much."

Baldwin won the FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup with Chelsea

Chelsea Supporters' Trust have also paid tribute to Baldwin. They wrote on X: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tommy Baldwin. The thoughts of the CST board and all our members around the world are with Tommy's family at this difficult time."

Other Chelsea fans have also paid their respects on X. "RIP The Sponge," wrote one supporter, referring to Baldwin's nickname at Stamford Bridge. "I joined the Tommy Baldwin Fan Club as a boy. Just a wonderful servant to our great club."

Baldwin was known as 'The Sponge' for two reasons. Firstly, because of his ability to hold up the ball and bring his team-mates into play. And secondly, because of his ability to drink large amount of booze while bonding with his team-mates in the pub. Both of those were welcomed attributes in English football during the 1960s and 1970s.

Baldwin once joked: "There's a little bit of truth in all of them. But it (the nickname) did originally come from allegedly having a sponge in my stomach!"

Thanks Vesp - one of my childhood heroes, have his autograph on a programme

[Vesper 30,297]

53 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Thanks Vesp - one of my childhood heroes, have his autograph on a programme

[bigbluewillie 1,930]

RIP the "sponge"

Thats what the other players called him, 'cos he always bounced back up and soaked up the whallops.

Loved ya Tommy😇