When Vivian ‘John’ Woodward died aged 74 in an Ealing nursing home following two years of illness, veteran football writers were quick to acclaim the man who had just slipped the sporting coil.

Many described Woodward as one of England’s greatest players, international team-mate Bob Steel recalling ‘the finest centre-forward I have ever seen. A great gentleman on and off the field … I never saw him commit a foul or retaliate – and he took some pastings.’

As a committed amateur with a thriving architectural business, Woodward never claimed a penny from the sport he graced, even the expenses legitimately available to players in his position.

That same status enabled him to compete with Great Britain in Olympics – and he won football golds in 1908 and 1912.

For the first of those he was a Tottenham squad member, but from November 1909 he was the outstanding star of the recently-formed Chelsea team.

‘The most cheering news we have had during our time of desolation is the intimation that Vivian John Woodward is going to assist Chelsea,’ the Chelsea Chronicle wrote when he signed. ‘Had the great Vivian been a professional player his transfer fee, I fancy, would have been something near a record one.

‘Instead, Woodward comes to us for love, and we may take it that he is already the idol of Stamford Bridge. Vivian Woodward has been and ever will be the people’s favourite. Small wonder. Great as he is as a player, his first claim to popularity lies in the fact that he has ever been first and foremost a gentleman.

‘I question if any footballer has ever been so universally popular, and he carries his honours with the air of a bashful debutant.’

Tall, lithe, his wavy hair slightly receding, the England captain soon became the darling of the Stamford Bridge terracing, netting an impressive 34 goals in 116 appearances for the Blues over six seasons, despite the club’s ups and downs.

After the outbreak of World War One in August 1914, like many of his colleagues Woodward answered his country’s call and joined the Army, eventually taking a commission and rising to Captain in the Footballers’ Battalion.

Remembrance today means taking a moment to reflect on the personal sacrifice made by so many millions in the face of the unprecedented horrors of 1914-18.

To his enormous credit Woodward also made the ultimate act of selflessness in football.

On 20 February 1915, then Lieutenant Woodward barked the marching orders to his uniformed men as they paraded the pitch ahead of a round three match between QPR and Everton hosted at Stamford Bridge.

Woodward’s participation in football – which carried on as normal for one season – was curtailed by his war service in England (he would not embark overseas until late 1915), and after 29 starts the previous season he was available for just six games, scoring three times, in 1914/15.

Significantly, he played no part in the FA Cup campaign as Chelsea roared to the final in April 1915 – the first Football League club from London to do so.

Instead, prolific Chelsea-schooled centre-forward Bob Thomson filled his boots in the competition with five goals – including the winner at Man City in round three.

Critically, Thomson, who remarkably had the use of only one eye, was sidelined a few weeks after Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 in the semi-final at Villa Park.

The final, removed to Old Trafford due to wartime travel restrictions, loomed into view with Thompson working to recover and Woodward suddenly available.

Then, as now, the FA Cup showpiece was the dream of any footballer and the opportunity of playing one was all too rare and precious in any career.

But when offered the chance to play in place of Thompson, who had barely recovered from his injury, Woodward announced that his fellow striker was the one who had done most to lead Chelsea to the final, and he should be the man to have the honour of representing the Blues on 24 April in Manchester.

In the event the so-called ‘Khaki final’ did not go well for David Calderhead’s team – Sheffield United ran out easy 3-0 victors.

The player who came to Stamford Bridge ‘for love’ in 1909 was injured in battle and retired from football by the time the Football League returned in 1919, but from 1922 to 1930 he would play another key role as director of the club.

Then, until his death a quarter-of-a-century later, Woodward was out of the game – but always remembered for the principled way he approached life and the sport as much as for the brilliance of his stellar career.

By Rick Glanvill