Sir Stirling Moss and Peter Bonetti, died 2 sporting legends
OFTEN tagged the greatest Formula 1 driver to never win the title, Sir Stirling Moss died at the weekend after a long illness. Moss started racing professionally in 1948 aged just 18 and was runner-up in the F1 championship four times between 1955 and 1961, never quite attaining the top spot. He always said winning each race was more important than the overall title, meaning his sometimes fearless approach saw him crash out of races where others may have settled for a top five finish to accrue points. Sir Stirling was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1961 and retired a year later after a serious crashbut carried on in various other motorsports almost to the end.
In the world of football, Chelsea goalkeeper Peter “The Cat” Bonetti, who died on Sunday, was acknowledged as one of the greatest ever practitioners of the art. He played 729 times for Chelsea, a record surpassed only by Ron Harris, and also played for England in the 1960s and 70s. His club honours included winner’s medals for the League Cup, UEFA Cup and FA Cup. He could have played in England’s 1996 World Cup victory, eventually kept out only by the mercurial Gordon Banks. Chelsea FC said "Peter Bonetti's position in the pantheon of Chelsea footballing gods is unassailable. He was the Cat who broke the mould, defied the odds, drew the gasps, earned the cheers and got the cream. All in front of an adoring Stamford Bridge.” He died aged 78 after a long illness.
