Former Scotland and Chelsea defender Eddie McCreadie has died age 85.
Born in Glasgow, McCreadie enjoyed a long and successful career at Chelsea, where he was once described by manager Tommy Docherty as the best left-back in Europe. He went on to make 410 appearances for the club as both a player and later as manager.
McCreadie scored the winning goal in Chelsea’s 1965 League Cup final victory over Leicester City, and was part of the side that won the FA Cup in 1970 after a replay and extra time against Leeds United.
Eddie McCreadie played for Chelsea and Scotland during his career.placeholder image
Eddie McCreadie played for Chelsea and Scotland during his career. | Getty Images
One of his 23 Scotland caps came in a 3-2 win over England at Wembley in 1968, a year after England’s World Cup triumph there.
That same year brought disappointment at the national stadium when Chelsea lost the FA Cup final to Tottenham. Injury then ruled him out of the club’s 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup final win over Real Madrid.
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Raised in Cowcaddens, McCreadie was passed over by scouts at Partick Thistle and began his career at East Stirlingshire. While there, he caught the eye of Docherty, who signed him for Chelsea for £5,000.
The deal included two friendlies between the clubs, though only one was ever played.
At Stamford Bridge, McCreadie built a reputation for his aggressive, attacking style, similar to that of today’s full-backs. He is best remembered by many for the 1965 League Cup final, when he filled in as an emergency centre-forward and scored a remarkable solo goal, running almost the length of the pitch before finishing past England goalkeeper Gordon Banks.
After retiring, McCreadie joined Chelsea’s coaching staff in 1974. He became manager in April 1975, replacing Ron Suart, and although he could not prevent relegation that season, he rebuilt the team around teenage midfielder Ray Wilkins and led the club back to the First Division in 1977.
His time as manager ended abruptly after a dispute with chairman Brian Mears, after McCreadie’s offer to resign, made after being denied a company car, was accepted. He later coached in the United States with the Memphis Rogues and the Cleveland Force before retiring from football in 1985.
McCreadie is survived by his wife, Linda, and three children - Paul McCreadie, Sean McCreadie and Ann Marie MacMurray.
His funeral will be taking place at 5pm on Thursday, January 15 at Boones Creek Christian Church in Johnson City, TN, with a graveside service at Boones Creek Baptist Church the following day.
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