Peter Houseman
Encyclopedia
Peter Houseman was an English
footballer
.
, Houseman signed professional
terms with Chelsea
in 1963, having played for the Chelsea Juniors. He made his debut for the club in the 1963-64
season in a 3-2 win over Sheffield United
but made only sporadic appearances in his early years at Chelsea, with manager Tommy Docherty
unconvinced by him. A section of the Chelsea crowd were also unconvinced by Houseman's performances, and he was often singled out for abuse throughout his time there. He featured in no more than twelve games per season in his first three years with Chelsea and missed out on the club's FA Cup final loss to Tottenham Hotspur
in 1967.
However, an injury to John Boyle
helped Houseman gradually establish himself as a regular in the side on the left wing, often acting as the team's "water-carrier" and providing service for the likes of Ian Hutchinson and Peter Osgood
. 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.
Chelsea won the Cup Winners' Cup a year later
, with Houseman an ever-present, helping the side overturn a 0-2 quarter-final deficit to beat Bruges
4-2 on aggregate with the first goal and then playing in both finals against Real Madrid
in Athens
, with Chelsea winning 2-1 in the replay. Chelsea reached the League Cup
final in 1972, though Houseman was denied a hat-trick
of cup-winners medals as they unexpectedly lost to Stoke City
at Wembley
. The club declined as a force thereafter, but he remained with Chelsea until their relegation in 1975.
after playing almost 350 games for the Londoners, and scoring 39 goals. His time with Oxford was less successful, with the club being relegated from the Second Division
in 1975-76
. He made 72 appearances for the club and scored twice.
He 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 event. A testimonial match
between the 1970 and 1977 Chelsea teams was arranged to raise money for their orphans, with a crowd of almost 17,000 in attendance.
He was a hero in the village of Oakley
in Hampshire
, where he set up and coached a youth football team. There is now a youth league named after him in the area.
Totals include 1 Charity Shield
appearance in 1970–71.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
.
Chelsea
Born in BatterseaBattersea
Battersea is an area of the London Borough of Wandsworth, England. It is an inner-city district of South London, situated on the south side of the River Thames, 2.9 miles south-west of Charing Cross. Battersea spans from Fairfield in the west to Queenstown in the east...
, Houseman signed professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
terms with Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
in 1963, having played for the Chelsea Juniors. He made his debut for the club in the 1963-64
1963-64 in English football
The 1963–1964 season was the 84th season of competitive football in England, from August 1963 to May 1964:-Overview:* Liverpool won the League Championship.* West Ham United won the FA Cup.* Leicester City won the League Cup.-Diary of the season:...
season in a 3-2 win over Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
but made only sporadic appearances in his early years at Chelsea, with manager Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
unconvinced by him. A section of the Chelsea crowd were also unconvinced by Houseman's performances, and he was often singled out for abuse throughout his time there. He featured in no more than twelve games per season in his first three years with Chelsea and missed out on the club's FA Cup final loss to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
in 1967.
However, an injury to John Boyle
John Boyle (footballer)
John Boyle is a retired Scottish footballer who played during the 1960s and 1970s.Born in Motherwell, he signed for London side Chelsea as a 15-year-old whilst on holiday in the city. Boyle was one of the lesser-known, but nevertheless important, members of the successful Chelsea side of the...
helped Houseman gradually establish himself as a regular in the side on the left wing, often acting as the team's "water-carrier" and providing service for the likes of Ian Hutchinson and Peter Osgood
Peter Osgood
Peter Leslie Osgood was an English footballer who was active during the 1960s and 1970s. He is best remembered for representing Chelsea and Southampton at club level, and was also capped four times by England in the early 1970s.-Chelsea:Born in a small road named Kentons Lane in Windsor, Osgood...
. He didn't miss a match during the 1969-70
1969-70 in English football
The 1969–70 season was the 90th season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Everton won their seventh title, finishing nine points clear of Leeds United with Chelsea in third and newly promoted Derby County in fourth...
season. His most significant contribution to Chelsea came in their FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
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
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
in the fourth round; after a draw a Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
, the side travelled to Burnley's home ground, Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
, 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
Penalty area
The penalty area , is an area of an association football pitch. It is rectangular and extends to each side of the goal and in front of it. Within the penalty area is the penalty spot , which is from the goal line, directly in-line with the centre of the goal...
and smashed a shot into the top corner to equalise. In extra time, Houseman provided the cross for Tommy Baldwin
Tommy Baldwin
Thomas "Tommy" Baldwin is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Arsenal, Chelsea, Millwall, Manchester United and Brentford. He was capped twice by England at under-23 level....
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
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
, 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
FA Cup Final 1970
The 1970 FA Cup Final was contested by Chelsea and Leeds United. The match took place on 11 April 1970 at Wembley Stadium and ended 2–2, making it the first FA Cup final to require a replay since 1912...
, 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
Gary Sprake
Gareth Sprake is a Welsh former professional footballer. A goalkeeper, he played for Leeds United and Birmingham City and also won 37 caps for Wales....
, 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
Old Trafford (football)
Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 75,811, Old Trafford is the second-largest football stadium in England after Wembley, the third-largest in the United Kingdom and the eleventh-largest in Europe...
to take the cup.
Chelsea won the Cup Winners' Cup a year later
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1970-71
The season 1970-71 of the European Cup Winners' Cup football club tournament was won by Chelsea in a replay against Real Madrid. Defending champions Manchester City were eliminated by Chelsea in the semi-finals, only the second ever tie in the competition between two clubs from the same country.-...
, with Houseman an ever-present, helping the side overturn a 0-2 quarter-final deficit to beat Bruges
Club Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
4-2 on aggregate with the first goal and then playing in both finals against Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, with Chelsea winning 2-1 in the replay. Chelsea reached the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
final in 1972, though Houseman was denied a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
of cup-winners medals as they unexpectedly lost to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
. The club declined as a force thereafter, but he remained with Chelsea until their relegation in 1975.
Oxford United
He left the club in May 1975 to join Oxford UnitedOxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
after playing almost 350 games for the Londoners, and scoring 39 goals. His time with Oxford was less successful, with the club being relegated from the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 1975-76
1975-76 in English football
The 1975–76 season was the 96th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won their first major trophy under Bob Paisley by narrowly winning the league title after heated competition from Queens Park Rangers. They also lifted the UEFA Cup for the second time in their...
. He made 72 appearances for the club and scored twice.
He was killed along with his wife and two friends in a car crash on the A40
A40 road
The A40 is a major trunk road connecting London to Fishguard, Wales and officially called The London to Fishguard Trunk Road in all legal documents and Acts...
near Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
in March 1977 whilst driving home from a fund-raising event. A testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
between the 1970 and 1977 Chelsea teams was arranged to raise money for their orphans, with a crowd of almost 17,000 in attendance.
He was a hero in the village of Oakley
Oakley, Hampshire
Oakley is a semi-rural affluent large village and parish situated west of the large town, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. In the 2001 census it had a population of 5,322, verging on 'minor town' status. The village was recorded and mentioned in the Domesday book...
in Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
, where he set up and coached a youth football team. There is now a youth league named after him in the area.
Playing statistics
| Season | Club | Division | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup | Europe European football European football is a colloquial term referring to any international football club competition that is organised by UEFA. Any club that wishes to participate in European football must qualify through their respective domestic league or domestic cup competitions... |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 1963–64 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
First Division Football League First Division The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship.... |
4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 1964–65 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||
| 1965–66 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 1966–67 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 5 | ||
| 1967–68 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | ||
| 1968–69 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 4 | ||
| 1969–70 | 42 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 54 | 9 | ||
| 1970–71 | 37 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 53 | 4 | ||
| 1971–72 | 27 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 40 | 7 | ||
| 1972–73 | 21 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 | ||
| 1973–74 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 2 | ||
| 1974–75 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | ||
| Chelsea total | 269 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 33 | 4 | 15 | 5 | 343 | 39 | ||
Totals include 1 Charity Shield
FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
appearance in 1970–71.