Dennis Wise was a combative, chirpy midfielder whose competitive edge and technical quality made him a fixture in the English game. He first made his name in Wimbledon’s Crazy Gang, winning the FA Cup, before a long and successful spell as captain of Chelsea, where he collected a string of trophies.
Small in stature but fierce in spirit, he was a canny passer and a natural leader, an England international who thrived on the intensity of the contest.