Former Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti dies at age 78

Peter Bonetti, former Chelsea and England goalkeeper nicknamed “ Cat” for his outstanding reflexes and agility, has died. He was 78. Bonetti died after suffering from a long-term illness, Chelsea said Sunday. He kept 208 clean sheets in 729 appearances for London club over two spells from 1960-75 and 1977-79. Only Ron Harris, with 795, has me more appearances for club. Chelsea said Bonetti was “one of our indisputably all-time great players.”

“Small for his position on pitch but with an aura of glamor,” Chelsea said of Bonetti, “he was technically invative and incredibly plucky. Cat, as he was widely kwn, was reassuring security among many mavericks in a golden era for Chelsea.”

Bonetti me seven appearances for England, including in 1970 World Cup finals. He was in 1966 World Cup-winning squ but did t play, belatedly receiving a winner’s medal in June 2009. Bonetti was twice promoted to First Division with Chelsea and won 1964-65 League Cup, 1970 FA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971. His Chelsea spells were separated by a brief stint in United States with St Louis Stars.