Rob GarrattHe was known as one of the hardest men in football, a no-nonsense defender with a talent for crippling two-footed tackles.Rob Garratt

He was known as one of the hardest men in football, a no-nonsense defender with a talent for crippling two-footed tackles.

Former Chelsea captain Ron 'Chopper' Harris also holds the honour of putting in more appearances for the club than any other player in its history.

Which perhaps made him the best company with which to share Chelsea's crucial win against Manchester United this weekend - as drinkers at one Norfolk pub found out.

The football legend trekked from his home in Dorset to open a friend's new gym in Wells on Saturday, and after signing autographs at the packed ceremony went to the local Memorial Club to watch Chelsea's 2-1 win.

Excited fans popping in for a quick drink were left dumbfounded at the sight of a personal hero sitting amongst their ranks.

At half-time he took questions from the scores of Chelsea supporters in attendance, sharing both his thoughts on the day's big game and memories of his golden era, during which he put in nearly 800 games for the club throughout the sixties and seventies.

He told the throng the 'best player I ever attempted to kick' was George Best, while his toughest opponent was Aston Villa's Andy Lochhead, who 'gave you as good as he got.'

Elsewhere Mr Harris decreed Tommy Docherty the best of the seven Chelsea managers he played under, and Danny Blanchflower, who 'didn't have too many good ideas', the worst. He told fans the best advice Docherty ever gave him was to 'get those late tackles in early.'

Harris said his most memorable moment was a classic late challenge on Leeds' playmaker Eddie Gray, in a replay of the 1970 FA Cup final, that helped neutralise his threat and contributed to a Chelsea victory; making him the first Chelsea captain to ever lift the trophy.

Passing judgement on the scandal surrounding another Chelsea legend, John Terry, he said: 'When you're captain of England and Chelsea there's certain things you can and cannot do. He's a terrific lad and if he had the chance again I am sure he'd walk away.'

He added: 'In my day things like that happened but you got away with it. The only difference is with me it was the chairman's missus.'

Looking ahead to the World Cup he said: 'England will do quite well, but they're not good enough to win it.'

After the full-time whistle a signed 1970 Chelsea replica shirt was awarded to the winner of a raffle in aid of Wells' lifeboat.

Earlier in the day Mr Harris was the guest of honour at a packed ceremony to mark the launch of Joint Effort Health and Wellbeing, on Wells' Staithe Street.

The gym is run by Paul Sandford, a lifelong Chelsea fan who has known Mr Harris for about 10 years after bumping into him at Stamford Bridge.