Scotland and Chelsea legend dies as club pays tribute to ‘one of the great figures in our history’
Scotland and Chelsea legend Eddie McCreadie has died at the age of 85.
The former full-back spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge from 1962 to 1973 before going on to manage the club.
The Scottish international earned 23 senior caps for his country between 1965 and 1969, making his debut against England.
He played in Scotland’s famous 3-2 win over world champions England at Wembley in 1967, the year after the Three Lions’ World Cup triumph, leading the Scots to declare themselves the new world champions.
Making 410 appearances during his time at Chelsea, he helped the Blues win the FA Cup in 1970.
He famously kicked Leeds captain and Scotland team-mate Billy Bremner in the head during that final.
McCreadie was a regular starter in the Chelsea sides of the 1960s and 1970s alongside the likes of Bobby Tambling, Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke.
The defender scored only five goals for the club throughout his lengthy career.
Eddie McCreadie has died
|
GETTY
One of which was a memorable winner in the League Cup final of 1965 in which he dribbled 80 yards up the pitch before scoring.
In April 1975, he was appointed manager with the task of rebuilding the side after a decline.
With no money to spend, he put together a team of youth players and veterans from the club’s heyday.
Having been promoted back to the first division, he resigned after the Scotsman requested a company car, which was rejected by chairman Brian Mears.
Chelsea paid tribute to ‘one of the great figures in our history’ when announcing the news
|
GETTY
He later had a stint as both a player and manager in America.
Chelsea paid tribute to “one of the great figures in our history” when announcing the news.
The club wrote: “Chelsea Football Club is today mourning the loss of one of the great figures in our history, a tough but innovative full-back, the scorer of a supreme cup final goal, and – for a fleeting but memorable spell – a touchline leader.
“Eddie McCreadie, who passed away yesterday at the age of 85, was one of the small but illustrious group who both played for and managed Chelsea, and he enjoyed notable success in each of those roles.”
Fans also flooded social media with messages
|
GETTY
Fans also flooded social media with messages.
One said: “RIP Eddie McCreadie. A true Chelsea legend, as a player and as a manager.”
Another wrote: “Very sad news, was an absolute gent when met him in 2017 and his ’77 team is the first I remember from when I went as a kid.”
A third added: “RIP Eddie McCreadie a Chelsea legend. Great player and was treated abysmally by the Chelsea board after he did a superb job in the most difficult time ever for the club. He was Chelsea manager when I first started going to Stamford Bridge and those days will always be precious.”
