Eddie McCreadie dead at 85: Chelsea legend passes away as tributes pour in for former Scotland left-back

Legendary former Chelsea defender Eddie McCreadie has passed away at the age of 85.

McCreadie, who also won 23 caps for Scotland during his impressive career, made 410 appearances for the Blues and later managed the club. 

He won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup as a player at Chelsea and was once hailed as the best-left back in Europe by his former boss Tommy Docherty.

Taking to X after McCreadie’s passing was announced, Chelsea said: ‘Chelsea Football Club is today mourning the loss of one of the great figures in our history, Eddie McCreadie. 

‘We are sending our heartfelt condolences to all of Eddie’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.’

McCreadie originally made his name at East Stirlingshire in Scotland’s Second Division after growing up in Glasgow.

McCreadie played 410 times for Chelsea and later managed them for two years from 1975-1977

It was there that he was spotted by Docherty, and he signed for Chelsea for just £5,000, plus the agreement that the English side would play two friendlies against them. Only one of these have been played. 

McCreadie shone in West London, and would go down in folklore after scoring a superb winning goal in the 1965 League Cup final against Leicester City when he was forced to play as an emergency striker. 

The left-back, whose playing style was reminiscent of a modern-day wing-back, later helped them lift the FA Cup when they emerged victorious over Leeds following a replay.

However, he missed the 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup final win over Real Madrid due to injury and was also on the losing side against Tottenham in 1967.

McCreadie retired from football at the end of the 1973-74 season, moving into coaching – and he joined Chelsea’s staff in 1974.

He ultimately took over from Ron Suart as manager in April 1975, and although he couldn’t stop the club from being relegated to the Second Division, he brought them back up to the First Division two years later. 

McCreadie rebuilt the team around a young Ray Wilkins but he left the club before the following season.

That came after a reported disagreement with chairman Brian Mears, with McCreadie left surprised when his offer to resign was accepted when he was refused his request of a company car. 

Several players and fans protested to bring McCreadie back to the club, but it failed to materialise.  

He went on to coach in the US with Memphis Rogues, who played in the North American Soccer League, before he later enjoyed a stint with Cleveland Force.

McCreadie retired from football in 1985 and ended up settling in Tennessee.