Charlie 'Chic' Thomson, goalkeeper in Chelsea's first league championship-winning side of 1954/55, has died at the age of 78.

Chic, who played 59 games and kept 16 clean sheets for the club between 1952 and 1957, became reacquainted with Chelsea in recent years and last year, having been diagnosed with a heart condition, underwent surgery paid for by the Chelsea Past Players' Trust.

Unfortunately he was taken ill again yesterday (Tuesday) and died near his Nottinghamshire home.

Born in Perth, Scotland on 2^nd March 1930, Chic was the son of a professional goalkeeper and began his own professional career at Clyde. He was bought by Chelsea for £5,000 in October 1952 after existing goalkeeper Bill Robertson was blamed for seven consecutive defeats.

Manager Ted Drake had remembered seeing Chic playing for the army side during national service down south and the new arrival made his debut away at Stoke in October '52, playing nearly all the remainder of the season.

He began the following campaign but then lost his place to Robertson and the two continued to share responsibility between the posts, Drake accomplished at spotting when the form of one was declining compared with the other.

Robertson began the 1954/55 season but after 26 games suffered injury and Chic came in. Although the first game in January was a home defeat to Man City, Chelsea's form (the team having been fifth at the turn of the year) soon improved to what would prove title-winning standard.

Chic played the final 16 league games, including a hugely important 1-0 win over closest rival Wolves, the keeper making a fine save to tip a Johnny Hancock effort on to the post in the last 10 minutes. The championship was won with a 3-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday.

'That was amazing,' Chic recalled many years later. 'We had to wait 15 minutes, depending on Pompey's result, to see whether we had won it or not.

'We were due to play Manchester United away for the last game of the season, so it was a relief and a joy at the same time.'

It would be 50 years before Petr Cech could match the achievement of the two keepers of '54/'55.

Chic saved a penalty at Highbury the next season having previously faced the kicker in his army days, but he moved to Nottingham Forest in August 1957 after Chelsea signed England keeper Reg Matthews. At Forest he added to his medals with an FA Cup Final win in 1959.

Standing at 5ft 11in tall and weighing 12st, Chic was a reliable keeper with a studious air. Like many of his contemporaries, he frequently sported a cap during a game.

'I really enjoyed my 14 years as a pro, but Chelsea were just special,' Chic said when attending the Chelsea Pitch Owners' annual lunch in November.

'The club was so friendly and I just enjoyed my time here. Ted Drake knew all the families' names and if he thought there was something wrong, he put it right - it was that kind of club.'

His team-mate back in the '54/'55 championship side, Frank Blunstone, today paid tribute to Chic.

'We were quite close, I took over his digs from him, and Charlie was a gentleman. He was always nice to talk to.

'He could eat anything he wanted and never put an ounce on. They tried to build him up at Chelsea with a diet of steak but it made no difference. Bill was the opposite, he only had to look at food and he was two-stone overweight.

'He was a good goalie and you don't win championships unless everyone contributes. We shall miss him.'

With efforts made by the late Tony Banks to reunite the '54/'55 side and then Chelsea welcoming former players since Roman Abramovich bought the club, Chic was a frequent attendee at events, which is where he became acquainted with one of his successors, Peter Bonetti.

'Chic was a very humble and nice man,' Bonetti (pictured above right) said today. 'Being keepers we had a sort of bond and we said it was strange but we always ended up together when we met up.

'Anyone who plays in a championship-winning side goes down in my book as a legend of the club.'

Chic's funeral will take place at Bramcote Crematorium, Bramcote, Nottingham with a service at the local church. The date has yet to be set but it will be conducted by Chelsea supporter Reverend Martin Swan who, as a representative of the Past Players' Trust, got to know Chic over the past couple of years.

'He was a very softly-spoken man and it was fascinating listening to him relate how he became a professional footballer at a very early age,' Swan says.

'He was playing on a local park when a policeman cycled up to him and said you better get your kit, Clyde need you to play Rangers. He went to the game on the bus.

'I found him to be a very humble man, he never thought that he was famous, but it was clear to me his passion for Chelsea and he said he was overwhelmed with the support given to him recently.'

Chelsea Football Сlub sends our condolences to Chic's wife Pat and his family.

Click here for more information on the Past Players' Trust.