Not content with 14 major trophies in a glittering football career, Petr Cech could now add another piece of silverware in Ice Hockey.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal man has been named in the Chelmsford Chieftains squad for the final National League Division One South Cup after taking up the sport following his retirement from football in 2019.
He joined Guildford Phoenix just four months after playing his final Arsenal game, the Europa League final, before switching to the Cheiftans last year.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, Cech plays as a goaltender; Ice Hockey’s equivalent of the position in which he kept a record 202 Premier League clean sheets.
The 40-year-old enjoyed an illustrious career in English football, winning four Premier League titles, a Champions League and five FA Cups.
Petr Cech is eyeing an Ice Hockey title as the Chelmsford Chieftains goaltender
The 40-year-old enjoyed an illustrious career in English football, winning for Premier League titles
Cech (left) made his first Ice Hockey appearance for Guidford Pheonix just months after his final game for Arsenal
That experience appears to be making a difference in his Ice Hockey career, as Chelmsford captain Callum Burnett told BBC Essex: ‘He’s brought an element of calmness and has joined in with the group well.
‘In his last few games, he’s been really impressive so we’re happy to have him in there, and we trust him. He’s a really interesting guy to be around.
‘He’s not awkward around the guys. We have a laugh and a joke and it’s an honour to have someone that prestigious on the team.
‘We understand where he’s been and his past, but he understands this is a different sport, this is our game and it’s very different to football. He gives us words of wisdom and we all appreciate them.’
The Cheiftans will face Invicta Dynamos in a two-legged home and away final over the weekend.
They finished level on points in the league, but the Dynamos come in with a slight advantage after winning all four league meetings between the sides this season.
