Richard Attenborough: Chelsea To Wear Black Armbands In Tribute To Director

Chelsea To Don Black Armbands In Attenborough Tribute

Chelsea players will wear black armbands in tribute to the late director Richard Attenborough against Everton on Saturday.

British film doyen Attenborough passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday and was made life president by Chelsea, who travel to Goodison Park for the tea-time kick-off at the weekend.

A club recalled in a statement: "Few of his show business friends escaped an attempt at indoctrination at Stamford Bridge. He shared his love of the club not just with English stars such as Laurence Olivier and John Mills, but brought Hollywood's greatest to the grandstands including John Wayne and Frank Sinatra.

Lord Attenborough was made life president at Chelsea

"The Chelsea players were amazed when he introduced Steve McQueen into the dressing room at the height of his fame. The club's indelible association with such glamour is, to a huge degree, his doing."

Chelsea captain John Terry added Attenborough was "a good friend to the club".

He told ITV News: "He loved the football club so much and spent a lot of time at games, which he always said to us as a group of players, that was his release from the stress of directing films and being in films himself. And to hear that from such a true legend was really nice for the players.

Attenborough (front row, far left) poses alongside other Chelsea directors with the FA Cup in 1970

"He was so calm and had so much time for everybody at the football club and he was highly respected.

"We paid our respects today, which we will do again at the weekend. He will always be in our memories at the football club."

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