The news that former Chelsea goalkeeper Petar Borota (56) died on Friday will certainly have saddened a few of our older supporters although I’m sure the memories of him will have raised a few smiles as well.

Signed by Danny Blanchflower in 1979 from Partizan Belgrade, Borota made an impressive debut in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool.  Going on to play under Geoff Hurst and John Neal, Borota – who was voted our player of the year in 1981 managing 16 shut-outs – made 114 appearances for Chelsea, keeping 36 clean sheets.

A real character of the era, Borota is likely to be remembered as a player who could go from spectacular to sectionable in 60 seconds.  Because when they say he was ‘out in left field’, with Petar Borota, it isn’t some fancy synonym – he literally was out in left field, and right field, and halfway up the field come to that. Never one to rest on his laurels – or his goal-line, Borota was often found dribbling up field trying to get past the opposition or taking throw-ins before running back to make some ridiculously good save.

Not that everyone appreciated his style of play of course, because after a bust-up (and possibly another near coronary) with John Neal, Borota left Chelsea in 1982, going on to play for Brentford, Boavista and Porto.

R.I.P. Petar.

Filed under: Ex Players, Legends