In 1971 Dave Webb had to play in goal for Chelsea v Ipswich as Peter Bonetti was held up on the motorway. But was this the only time he played in goal for them, not being a regular goalkeeper?
Question #76695. Asked by satguru.
zbeckabee
Answer has 4 votes
zbeckabee Moderator 19 year member
11752 replies
Answer has 4 votes.
"Webb spent much of his Chelsea career as a right back, he also played in central defence (his original position) and occasionally as a centre forward, once hitting a hat-trick against Ipswich Town in December 1968."
The following quote makes it sounds as though this was a one time shot:
"He even played as a goalkeeper for an entire match, also against Ipswich, on December 26, 1971, keeping a clean sheet in the process."
According to this site, David Webb played in goal twice; once for an entire match (see post by zbeckabee above), and once when Bonetti was injured:
David Webb became an emergency goalkeeper for Chelsea after Peter Bonetti was injured in a game against Coventry City on December 18th, 1971. He then played the entire game the following week because both of Chelsea's goalkeepers were unfit and kept a clean sheet as The Blues beat Ipswich 2-0.
Thanks both. I asked as I was there v Ipswich and although I scoured the sites I couldn't find whether he'd ever done it another time. It's some coincidence he both played in goal the week before and then was needed the following week, though I was surprised they didn't have a regular reserve keeper as they do now. He was quite entertaining, joking around and appeared to have no idea what he was doing despite not letting one in. A hidden talent for sure.