Richard Peter Tudor Sillett was an English footballer.
18 Facts About Peter Sillett
1.
2.
Peter Sillett played for Chelsea and Southampton as a right-back, and made three appearances for England.
3.
Peter Sillett was the older brother of John Sillett, who managed Coventry City to FA Cup success in 1987.
4.
Sir Stanley Matthews once said that Sillett was the best full-back he ever played against.
5.
Peter was the son of Charlie Sillett and inherited his father's skills.
6.
Peter Sillett joined the Saints in January 1949 and soon afterwards gained England Youth recognition.
7.
Extremely well-built, weighing over 13 stone when only 18, Peter Sillett matured quickly into a full-back of some distinction.
8.
Peter Sillett signed for Chelsea in 1953 and became club's established full-back when fit.
9.
Peter Sillett captained the England under-23 side on four occasions in 1955 skippering teams that included Ronnie Clayton, Bobby Robson, Johnny Haynes and Duncan Edwards.
10.
Peter Sillett was a cultured distributor of the ball, his positional play was astute and he was exceptionally cool under pressure but it was as one of the most explosively powerful dead ball kickers of his and any era that earns him most renown.
11.
Indeed, Peter Sillett was a menace anywhere within 40 yards of the opponents' goal and was the author of some of the most spectacular strikes ever seen at Stamford Bridge.
12.
In fact opponents' often used to place defensive "walls" even when Peter Sillett struck free kicks from the halfway line such was his power and accuracy.
13.
Peter Sillett played the game rather like a Rolls Royce, there was nothing that was showy or flashy about him but his exceptional natural talent and quality shined to the discerning observer and those within the game.
14.
Technically superb Peter Sillett was courted by Italian giants Juventus but turned down the move in typically laid back fashion by reportedly stating that Italy was "too bloody hot for football".
15.
Peter Sillett made a total of 288 appearances for Chelsea and remained at the club until June 1962, when new manager Tommy Docherty made a series of sweeping changes to the playing squad.
16.
Peter Sillett moved to Guildford City and then on to Ashford Town as player-manager.
17.
Peter Sillett managed both Ashford Town and Hastings United twice each and oversaw promotion during each spell.
18.
Peter Sillett was an England international, winning three caps in 1955, and was in England's squad for the 1958 FIFA World Cup.