Steffen, Willi

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Willi Steffen

Willi Steffen

Clubs played for: Chelsea, Young Boys Bern (1946-1947)

Born: 1925

Birthplace: Bern, Switzerland

Position: Left-back

Biography: A former fighter pilot who was sent to London to learn English and it turned out his tutor was to be the wife of the then Chelsea manager Billy Birrell. This led to a trial being arranged, which turned out to be a 4-0 win over Bournemouth. He was soon in the first team making his debut at Left-back against Derby County in the FA Cup. Ironically, his last game was also against the Rams when he was made captain for the day. He needed to return home to complete his national service. Played for Young Boys of Berne for over a decade after he returned to Switzerland. He was running the family business which distributed fruit and veg from near his home, a 19th century cottage in Utzenstorf near Berne, right up to until his death in May 2005 aged 80. His grand-daughter is named Chelsea.




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