Chico Hamilton

[crucialkneeligaman]

RIP

 

[Silent Blade]

First saw him playing for Villa at Saltergate in August 1970 (yes, Villa were in the 3rd division). My dad raved about him and we hoped he would come to us. Eventually he came to us 6 years later. Had a good left foot.

 

[Silent Blade]

 

[Linz]

I met Chico in what we'll generously call a professional capacity as he used to run the University holiday play scheme and would nip by the students' union to be paid his expenses or query his wages.

Absolute fruitcake and from what we understand, the kids loved him.

 

[ChezVegasBlade]

RIP Blade

 

[AlienWoodward]

I was lucky enough to watch him play as a young lad and years later become very good friends with him.
One of the nicest people I've ever met.
I had numerous late night drinking sessions with him watching football (any match he didn't care).
His humour was fantastic absolutely hilarious.
He sent me this from Spain a few years ago of when TC visited him over there.
RIP Chico
Thank you for great times on and off the pitch

 

[Nesh Blade]

Chico ran our after school club. Bonkers bloke who used to give us great encouragement when having a kick about. RIP to a lovely man

 

[MobileBlade]

I once caught the ball in the BLUT when I was about 10 years old. It was a Chico Hamilton penalty. Lovely man though.

 

[programmechap]

I once caught the ball in the BLUT when I was about 10 years old. It was a Chico Hamilton penalty. Lovely man though.

Think that was in the 1-1 draw v Millwall on 3 May 77. There's a pic of him skying it in the following programme.

 

[BudockBlade]

I’m the same age and remember him well from the mid 70s. From memory he also played for Villa and Chelsea, did well for us. RIP Chico

 

[Jon Bon II]

I remember his chant - "Chico! Chico! Chico! Chico!..." Absolute classic. They don't write 'em like that anymore.

RIP Blade. My condolences to Chico's family and friends.

 

[ancientblade]

r.i.p. chico great player with a great left foot remember the 6 - 1 defeat at forest late 70s was our best player by a mile that day

 

[Blade56]

So sad. RIP Chico

 

[The Crab]

RIP Chico

 

[United Aren't Back.]

Second ex Blade of that name to die in 8 months.

 

[Alex Cheeseright]

His name was so 70's, Great player. RIP

 

[Karaoke Blade]

Had the pleasure of getting to know
Chico in recent years. A lovely bloke with a wicked sense of humour. Passed away in Spain where he had not been well for a while. Rest in peace my friend.

 

[Big Hitter]

RIP Chico - Thanks for the memories in the Golden Age of Football.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Met Chico a few times, bumped into him a couple of times at Wembley, once with Len Badger. As already mentioned, daft and funny but infectious with it and a great fella. RIP Chico

 

[Hartley Hare]

Sorry to hear this sad news.

RIP Chico.

HH.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Another great character gone, wonder what his thoughts would be of modern training techniques….

R.I.P. Chico

 

[MKY]

I met Chico in what we'll generously call a professional capacity as he used to run the University holiday play scheme and would nip by the students' union to be paid his expenses or query his wages.

Absolute fruitcake and from what we understand, the kids loved him.

Ahhh really sorry to hear this. I worked with Chico on one of those playschemes in easter 1993- based at broomhill primary & king teds. His energy was incredible & he was great with the kids. His lovely partner Di was there too. That was my 1st step on the road to becoming a teacher (gawd help me!) it’s possible we met Linz at this time as I was in & out of the union around that time doing odd bits of paid work.

 

[Linz]

Ahhh really sorry to hear this. I worked with Chico on one of those playschemes in easter 1993- based at broomhill primary & king teds. His energy was incredible & he was great with the kids. His lovely partner Di was there too. That was my 1st step on the road to becoming a teacher (gawd help me!) it’s possible we met Linz at this time as I was in & out of the union around that time doing odd bits of paid work.

1993 was a bit before my time (I was 7 ) but he was still working the holidays in 2010 -2013.

He was always lovely but his paperwork was an utter shambles - he probably ended up funding half the play scheme himself because he'd lost receipts Our formidable wee Scottish payroll officer used to greet him with a shake of the head and a "what trouble are you causing now?"

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Anyone know how he got the name Chico ?

 

[Rooks]

Anyone know how he got the name Chico ?

He was nicknamed "Chico" after the jazz drummer Chico Hamilton.

 

[reedy63]

RIP Chico.

 

[Ralph Blade]

So sad to learn of his passing, big favourite of mine when I was growing up. RIP

 

[Muttley]

I once caught the ball in the BLUT when I was about 10 years old. It was a Chico Hamilton penalty. Lovely man though.

I remember it well. I think he hit the clock with another but maybe that's just my puddled memory.

R.I.P Chico

 

[diode_blade]

R.I.P
Blade Chico

 

[JosteinFlo]

Sad news, used to run a Saturday morning football session in the 90s at Woodburn road pitz. Always played the “two for a header” rule. Everyone loved him