Derek Saunders

Derek Saunders started his football career at his home-town team Ware in Hertfordshire before joining Walthamstow Avenue. A wing-half he was part of the Walthamstow team that won the Amateur Cup for the first time in their history in 1952 following a 2-1 win over Leyton. He then went to Finland as part of the Great Britain team and played in the defeat by Luxembourg. Saunders also played in Walthamstow Avenue’s memorable FA Cup tie against Manchester United in 1953 when they drew 1-1 with the first division side before losing the replay 5-2 in front of 53,000 fans at Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium. That summer, after six England amateur appearances, he turned professional with Chelsea and he went on to appear in 203 League games for the Blues and was an ever-present in their 1954-55 Championship winning team - the first time Chelsea won the League title. He was appointed club captain in 1957 and played in their first ever match in Europe, a 3-1 win over BK Frem Copenhagen in the Inter Cities’ Fairs Cup (now Europa League) in 1958. His last game for Chelsea was in a 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa in the FA Cup in January 1959 and after ending his playing days Derek joined the club’s coaching staff. After leaving Chelsea he became a PE teacher and groundsman at Westminster School and later became the groundsman at Hampstead Cricket Club before his retirement to Frinton-on-Sea, Essex.