Ron Harris

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Ron Harris
RHarris.jpg
0Full Name Ronald Edward Harris
0Date of Birth 13 November 1944
0Place of Birth Hackney, London
0Position Defender
0Chelsea career 1961-1980
0Debut 24 February 1962
0Games (goals) 795 (14)
0Other clubs Brentford

Ronald Edward Harris (born 13 November 1944 in Hackney, London) was a defender who played for Chelsea between 1961 and 1980, captaining the side for most of this period. He contributed greatly to what was then the most successful period of the club's history, winning three major trophies. He is the record appearance maker for the club with 795 appearances in all competitions, including 655 in the league.

Contents

Chelsea career

It was in February 1962 that Harris made his first team debut in a 1-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday. He went on to make a further 654 league appearances for Chelsea, cementing his place as a legend of the football club and becoming renowned as one of the toughest defenders of his era.

Challenging George Best in 1968
“Chopper” was part of the Chelsea side that won the FA Youth Cup in 1961. He graduated to the first team the following year and went on to hold his position for a further 18 years. In 1965 Chelsea beat Leicester City in the League Cup final, Harris’ first trophy. A year later, he became Chelsea captain after the departure of Terry Venables and in 1967 he became the youngest ever captain of an FA Cup final side. Unfortunately, Chelsea lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea were known most for their flair and charm. Peter Bonetti, Charlie Cooke, Alan Hudson and most of all, Peter Osgood, made names for themselves under the management of Dave Sexton, and the leadership of Harris. It was Harris though, who was the foundation upon which the flair took place.

Harris "tackling" Stan Bowles in 1974
In 1970, Chelsea made it to the FA Cup final against arch rivals Leeds United. This final turned out to be one of the most physical of all time and unsurprisingly Harris was a stand out as his quick free kick led to Ian Hutchinson equalising at 2-2 with only minutes remaining. The replay took place at Old Trafford and once more Harris was a star as the Blues won 2-1 after extra time, courtesy of David Webb’s famous back post header.

In the following season Harris led Chelsea to their first major European trophy, the Cup Winners' Cup. This was achieved after another replayed final, this time in Athens against the Spanish giants Real Madrid. Peter Osgood scored in the final proper and the replay whilst the winner in the replay was scored by the unlikely figure of John Dempsey.

Harris’ last major cup final was the League Cup final of 1972. However, despite being strong favourites Chelsea were defeated by unfancied Stoke City 2-1, George Eastham scoring a late winner.

“Chopper” remained ever present at right back and centre half for Chelsea throughout the 1970s, a tumultuous period which saw the Blues relegated twice and promoted once. Towards the end of the decade though, he lost the captaincy to young star Ray Wilkins, now assistant coach at Chelsea.

Harris left Chelsea in 1980, after nearly two decades as part of the Blues defence. He currently holds the record for most league appearances for Chelsea, with 655, as well as the most appearances in total, with 795.

The legend that is Chopper Harris will never diminish and his legacy as a tough and uncompromising defender and fearless leader can be seen today in our very own John Terry. But for all Terry’s bravado and commitment, there will only ever be one Ron “Chopper” Harris.

Statistics

Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1961–62 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
1962–63 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
1963–64 41 2 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 45 2
1964–65 42 2 5 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 53 2
1965–66 36 2 6 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 52 2
1966–67 42 0 7 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 52 0
1967–68 40 0 5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 46 0
1968–69 40 0 5 0 3 0 4 0 0 0 52 0
1969–70 30 0 8 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 41 0
1970–71 38 1 3 0 4 0 9 0 1 0 55 1
1971–72 41 0 3 0 9 0 4 1 0 0 57 1
1972–73 42 1 3 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 52 1
1973–74 36 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 39 2
1974–75 42 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 48 0
1975–76 40 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 45 0
1976–77 19 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 22 0
1977–78 37 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 42 1
1978–79 40 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 42 0
1979–80 39 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 42 2
Total 655 13 64 0 48 0 27 1 1 0 795 14

Goals

# Season Date Year Competition Opponent Score Result Venue
11963-6429 February1964First DivisionSheffield Wednesday2-3Hillsborough
21963-6406 April1964First DivisionLeicester City1-01-0Stamford Bridge
31964-6503 October1964First DivisionBlackburn Rovers5-05-1Stamford Bridge
41964-6524 April1964First DivisionBurnley1-32-6Turf Moor
51965-6609 April1966First DivisionWest Ham United6-2Stamford Bridge
61965-6602 May1966First DivisionSheffield Wednesday1-11-1Hillsborough
71970-7112 September1970First DivisionWolves2-2Stamford Bridge
81971-7229 September1971Cup Winners' CupJeunesse Hautcharage13-0Stamford Bridge
91972-7319 August1972First DivisionDerby County2-1Baseball Ground
101973-7412 January1974First DivisionCoventry City2-2Highfield Road
111973-7403 April1974First DivisionTottenham Hotspur2-1White Hart Lane
121977-7818 March1978First DivisionNewcastle United2-2Stamford Bridge
131979-8025 August1979Second DivisionWrexham3-1Stamford Bridge
141979-8015 March1980Second DivisionBurnley2-1Stamford Bridge

Career honours

Chelsea

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