Former Chelsea player and manager Eddie McCreadie has died at the age of 85. The Glaswegian full-back joined Chelsea in 1962 from East Stirlingshire for £5,000 and spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge.
McCreadie was Tommy Docherty's first signing and helped the club win promotion to the First Division in his debut season. He played a key role in Chelsea's first major cup triumph, scoring the winner in the 1965 League Cup final against Leicester City. He also played every minute of the 1970 FA Cup final replay victory over Leeds United.
An athletic and tenacious defender, McCreadie made over 410 appearances for Chelsea and earned 23 caps for Scotland. He was forced to retire in 1973 due to an Achilles injury. He later managed Chelsea, guiding the club through financial difficulties and securing promotion back to the top flight.
McCreadie left Chelsea after a pay dispute and briefly played for the Memphis Rogues in the North American Soccer League, later managing the team. He reconciled with Chelsea 40 years later, returning to Stamford Bridge as a club legend.
