A Chelsea Fan's Tribute
Champions, Champions
By 40 Years A Blue
January 10 2006
The first of many tributes to the late Tony Banks or the late Lord Stratford were paid last night at The Valley as the reserves of Charlton and Chelsea, staff and the sprinkling of supporters were given the first opportunity to pay their respects to a man,
not only a Chelsea fan for all of his life, but a "man of the people." As one caller to a phone-in on Chelsea TV described, Tony Banks (Lord Stratford) said 'what he meant and meant what he said.' The caller continued by saying, "If all politicians were as honest and open as Tony Banks was, then the World would surely be a better place." Amen to that. Tony Banks died on Sunday at the age of 62 on holiday with his wife in Florida after suffering a major stroke. Although Lord Stratford and former Tory minister David Mellor were on the opposite sides of the House in their political lives, they were often seen sitting together at Chelsea games and Mellor said in part of his tribute that Lord Stratford "was a man of passion" who possessed a "sharp and witty tongue." Mellor also added that "He was immensely popular on both sides of the House." Lord Stratford was one of the fortunate Chelsea supporters to see the club win the League title, 50 years apart. He recalled during a favourite Chelsea memory interview that as a child in 1955 he was allowed to sit within the pitch boundary at Stamford Bridge on the day that Chelsea beat Wolves to clinch the title and had a perfect view of the late great Billy Wright clearing off the line, a Seamus O'Connell blockbuster. Banks recalled that the Linesman gave the penalty that day and not the Referee. Lord Stratford had been instrumental in Chelsea's Centenary celebrations by helping the club to unify the 1955 Championship winning team with dinners at the House of Commons and getting Chelsea to re-recognise that team's achievements by having the trophy presented 50 years on, on the day that the Premiership Trophy was presented to the current side. The story goes that when the title was won in 1955, the FA thought the trophy would be presented elsewhere. Lord Stratford also used to arrange dinners and functions for the 'newer' older players - the likes of Ossie, Dixon, Tambling, Spackman and those two numerous to mention. The late Matthew Harding was considered Mr Chelsea. Tony Banks, Lord Stratford should also be considered Mr Chelsea too. To a fan Lord Stratford meant this to me. Without divulging my political arena, everytime I saw Tony Banks on TV, there used to be a cry of 'Come on Tony.' Sincere condolences to Lord Stratford's wife, family and friends in this time of deep sorrow. RIP TONY BANKS 40 YEARS A BLUE!