Paul Cheesley

[Tony C]

Watching Big Match Revisited and seeing a very impressive Bristol City team outplay Arsenal at Highbury in the opening game of the 76/77 season. Paul Cheesley troubled the Arsenal defence all afternoon and ended up scoring the only goal of the game. He looked a really decent player: strong, quick and particularly good in the air. Very highly rated at the time. He was interviewed by Brian Moore after the game and seemed a nice young bloke, saying how much he was looking forward to the next game against Stoke that coming Tuesday.

This was the game in which Cheesley collided with Peter Shilton, wrecked his knee and was forced to retire at 23. A real shame. Quite poignant to see his performance and interview now.

[jwdd27]

That's a new name to me, and quite a sad story, one wonders if nowadays there would be more chance of recovery.

His brief Wiki does report that he beat Shilton to the ball. What a surprise.

[Arturo]

Started out at Norwich around the time we made our debut in the top flight. Scored freely for the reserves but for some reason it didn't really happen for him when he graduated to the first team. One goal and a bit part twenty appearances later, he was gone. Never realised his career ended so early.

[Logan Mountstuart]

It must have been tough stepping into David Cross and Jimmy Bone's boots in that early 70s Norwich team.

Cheesley was much loved and much mourned at City. He has a sort of cult status because of the promotion season and because of what might have been. Bristol boy too.