Essex has long been the breeding ground for sporting talent, from Roger Cross the footballer who was amongst the trailblazers to move to the USA to play, to Sally Gunnell who ran to Olympic glory. It’s through these iconic athletes residents of our fine county can aspire to greatness and become famous sons and daughters of Essex.
Let’s take a look at some of the other notable people who have gone from the streets of Essex to become some of the most loved people in sport.
Charlie Kelman
Kelman is just one of the latest players born in Essex who is creating a career in the world of football, the young man is currently plying his trade in the Football League after moving back to the county of his birth on loan at Gillingham from former Premier League club, Queens Park Rangers.
The 20-year-old born in Basildon had spent much of his young life in America and was playing for the academy teams of MLS team, FC Dallas. But, he returned to his home county signing for Southend United in 2018, linking up with the aforementioned Cross who is also now back in Essex as the clubs’ head of recruitment. Kelman immediately shot to fame, when he scored from inside his own half on his debut. That goal and subsequent performances for the Shrimpers brought on the move to Loftus Road, where he’s so far made a dozen appearances in the Championship.
Bobby George
George is one of the most flamboyant British sports personalities of the past fifty years, starting his career back in the late 70’s. ‘Bobby Dazzler’ was one of the game’s first real showmen, walking to the oche to the soundtrack of We Are The Champions by Queen, wearing a cloak and candelabra, but he had talent to go with the outgoing personality. He won his first tournament on his debut and went on to win several tournaments in a career that spanned three decades.
The fruits of his success allowed him to build George Hall, his vast 17-bedroom family property which is set in 12 acres of land in Essex. Whilst George put darts on the map in Essex, the current top player from the county is probably Ritchie Edhouse. Edhouse has a long way to go before moving into somewhere like George Hall;despite being amongst the favourites for PDC World Championship in the latest darts odds from Coral. Since putting away his darts, George has stayed in the spotlight by featuring on a number of TV shows on BBC, further showing off his larger than life personality. Edhouse has some way to go before he matches Bobby Dazzler, but he’s currently flying the flag for darts is Essex.
Steve Davis
Along with George, another British sporting icon from Essex whose career spanned many decades was Steve Davis. Davis is a legend in the game of snooker around the world, and it’s highlighted by him becoming the first player to earn over £1m in prize money. The six-time world champion was imperious during the eighties inspiring a generation of snooker players, although some took inspiration in a maybe different way than expected.
Fellow Essex resident and current snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan told Metro that Davis’ slow playing style inspired him to bring more character to the game. But while the two players styles couldn’t be more juxtaposed there’s no doubt that Davis breathed new life into the game as O’Sullivan admitted he tried to imitate parts of his game and with that, there is no doubt, Davis is one of the most influential, and successful players snooker has ever has seen.
Jimmy Greaves
Greaves, who was raised in Hainault, is one of the best footballers the country has ever seen. In his youth, he netted over 50 goals for Chelsea’s youth team in a single season which was a sign of things to come. His form in four years at Stamford Bridge highlighted how good he was. He scored over 130 goals in 169 games, and it prompted AC Milan to buy him for £80,000 in 1961, signing a three year, £140 a week deal with a massive £15,000 signing on bonus. After just 14 games, and nine goals he returned home. Spurs were Greaves’ destination and his £100,000 fee was a record. The pressure of the big transfer meant nothing to Greaves who went on to be their joint top goalscorer in a nine-year stay, scoring 266 goals, which included 15 hat-tricks, a club record.
The Essex resident was also to star for England and scored an astonishing 44 goals in 57 appearances. His final footballing record read, 708 appearances, 469 goals, cementing him as a true sporting icon, not only in Essex but across the country. Greaves passed away in September 2021 in his home in Danbury at the age of 81.
