Former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville 'critically ill' in Hospital

We have learned the sad news from the Paul Canoville Foundation, who released this Official Statement to us today...

Former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville, 58, is currently critically ill in Hospital after complications set in from emergency surgery, SPTC have sadly been told.

Members of the Paul Canoville Foundation have forwarded us the following statement to be sent out as a result.

“We are sad to advise that our founder Paul Canoville is critically ill in Hospital after complications set in after emergency surgery.

“We are aware that his many fans and followers on his social media accounts have been missing his regular posts for over two weeks now.

“We know how loved Paul is and will post updates as we get them, but ask that his family’s wish for privacy is respected and that they are not contacted by the media.

“The PFA are in contact with Paul’s family and being very supportive. Please keep Paul in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.”

At this moment in time there is no further information to be provided, and SPTC send our love, thoughts, and wishes to Paul and his family.

Canoville played for Chelsea between 1981 and 1986 and he is the clubs first ever black player, and he had to deal with constant battles against racism in the game and in life.

He was a pacey winger with an eye for a goal, knocking up over 100 appearances and 15 goals for the club helping them to win the old Second Division in the 1983-84 season.

Paul has always been a fighter and has twice beaten Cancer in his life, as he talks about in his book ‘Black and Blue’ when he was recovering from a cancer op in 1997 he watched Chelsea win the FA Cup. When Robbie Di Matteo scored he leapt out of his hospital bed and split a couple of stitches!

In recent years Paul has done a lot of charity work helping young people in the community, which is the basis of his Foundation.

He is an ambassador for Kick it Out and Show Racism the Red Card and sits on the board of Music Against Racism. He also works with Metropolitan Police football project KICK OFF @ 3 [seen below] which battles knife crime and his work with young people also sees him work a lot with Rio Ferdinand’s foundation.

Paul loves working with kids and is absolutely adored everywhere he goes even by the young fans of other clubs as he makes sure to tell them all they need to start supporting Chelsea if not doing so already!

He regularly [pre-covid] helps out at the Chelsea academy with Neil Bath and Andy Myers, giving talks to the younger year groups of players.

His relationship with the young black players at Chelsea is one of huge love and respect. Players like Eddie Newton, Michael Duberry, Frank Sinclair etc all saw him as a big brother figure who was always there for them to talk to.

Recently Paul has worked with closely with Callum Hudson Odoi and reached out to him when he had his own problems.

He is described as an ‘absolute legend’ by all those close to him or who he has helped during his years, and we will all collectively be joining in by sending our wishes and hope that he gets well soon.