Chelsea FC in the Swinging ''60s: Football''s First Rock ''n'' Roll Club

About Greg Tesser

Born in Highgate North London in 1946 he joined music public relations company Press Presentations in 1964. Based in Denmark Street - 'Tin Pan Alley' - he acted as PR for the likes of The Yardbirds Georgie Fame Zoot Money and Screaming Lord Sutch eventually going solo the same year and taking Georgie Fame The Yardbirds (Eric Clapton was an integral member of the band at the time) and Zoot Money with him. In 1965 published 'Penalty' a one-off football magazine. Later that same year produced the first edition of 'The Amateur Footballer' a magazine devoted to the world of the amateur game. This was an era in which over 70000 would attend an FA Amateur Cup Final at Wembley. The magazine prospered and during its five years of existence rose to prominence thanks to its exposure of 'Shamateurism' - illegal cash payments to amateurs - which led to an ITV mini-documentary in 1969 and the eventual abandonment by the FA of the distinction between amateurs and professionals. Following a meeting with Peter Osgood in the late 1960s to finalise a 'rock style' poster of the Chelsea star he became the iconic striker's agent and business partner. He also represented Charlie Cooke and QPR legend Rodney Marsh. He has written for a diverse range of magazines and newspapers including 'The Daily Telegraph' 'The Guardian' 'Vogue' 'Soccer Star' and 'World Soccer'. During the late 1990s he began a series of celebrity interviews for 'Esquire' and 'GQ' with Prince Philip Tony Blair the-then Archbishop of Canterbury George (now Lord) Carey and former Home Secretary Jack Straw. All were on the subject of their individual passion for sport. These days he writes on all matters sporting and country-based for 'Country Life' and 'The Field'. Has written for 'The Rugby Paper' having also been a regular contributor to 'Rugby Times'. Greg also writes for 'New Europe' the Continent's leading English-language weekly business and political newspaper. In 1995 he worked on BBC Television's definitive history of football 'Kicking and Screaming'. Having co-hosted both football and rugby programmes on 'BBC Somerset' since 1994 he continues to be a regular on that station. Also co-hosted FA Cup shows on 'BBC London' during the 1990s with Garth Crooks.