Peter Sillett

Richard Peter Tudor Sillett (known as Peter Sillett) (1 February 1933 – 13 March 1998) was an England footballer. He played for Chelsea and Southampton as a right-back, and made three appearances for England. He was the older brother of John Sillett, who managed Coventry City to FA Cup success in 1987. Sir Stanley Matthews once said that Sillett was the best full-back he ever played against.

Southampton

Peter was the son of Charlie Sillett (who was a full-back with Southampton from 1931 to 1938) and inherited his father’s skills. He joined the Saints in January 1949 and soon afterwards gained England Youth recognition.

Extremely well-built, weighing over 13 stone when only 18, Sillett matured quickly into a full-back of some distinction.

In 1953, while he was doing his National Service in the RAF he came up against Stanley Matthews when Saints took Blackpool, the eventual winners, to an FA Cup replay.

Unfortunately, Southampton were facing mounting debts and, with this fact known to many of the country's top clubs, it wasn't too long before Sillett, together with his younger brother John, was "induced" to join Ted Drake's Chelsea, for a fee of £12,000.