Bobby Tambling also lined out for Cork Alberts, while he managed Cork City in 1984 and then worked with Munster Senior League side Crosshaven.
13:10, 04 Jun 2026
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Bobby Tambling(Image: Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Chelsea legend Bobby Tambling has passed away at the age of 84, after a glittering career on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Tambling was the Stamford Bridge club’s record goalscorer with 202 goals in 307 appearances until Frank Lampard broke that record 13 years ago.
Born in Sussex, he starred for Chelsea between 1959 and 1970, before he moved to Crystal Palace for three years.
A League Cup winner and FA Cup runner-up with Chelsea, when he netted a consolation goal in the 1967 final against Tottenham, he began his Irish adventure at the age of 32 when he arrived in Cork.
During his career in the League of Ireland, he lined out for Cork Celtic, Waterford, Shamrock Rovers and Cork Alberts.
His goalscoring helped Celtic to their first and only League of Ireland title.
After Tambling hung up his boots on a career that included three England caps and two appearances for a League of Ireland XI, he went into management with Cork Celtic, Cork City and finally Crosshaven.
He was diagnosed recently with dementia.
His Munster Senior League side Crosshaven posted a heartfelt tribute to their famous former manager on social media.
It read: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that Crosshaven AFC announce the passing of our dear friend and former manager, Bobby Tambling — a true Chelsea legend and an even more wonderful human being.
“Bobby came to Cork in the 1970s after his time at Crystal Palace, and he fell deeply in love with the place. But it was Crosshaven that truly captured his heart. In the 1980s he settled here and made it his home.
“He became Cork City’s very first manager before taking the reins of our senior team in 1985, guiding us with pride and passion to our one and only appearance in the FAI Senior Cup the following year.
“His sons Gary and Glenn featured locally for a while as did his partner Val’s son Jamie, now of course Senior Team assistant coach.
“For the next thirty years, on and off, Bobby was never far from our club with Val by his side.
“Even when his health was failing, he still wanted to be on the sidelines — coaching, encouraging, and sharing his endless love for the game. His passion for football was absolutely infectious.
“Whether he was talking tactics, working on set pieces, or telling stories from his playing days (sometimes for the tenth time), you couldn’t help but hang on every word.
“You didn’t mind hearing the same tale again, because it was Bobby telling it.
“His final game managing Crosshaven was a fitting one as some of the greatest local players he ever coached took on a Republic of Ireland Masters team in 2015 that included Packie Bonner, Ronnie Whelan & Ray Houghton in Camden.
“Crosshaven players adored him. They respected him, responded to him, and would have run through brick walls for him.
“From time to time, old friends from his Chelsea days would visit - Barry Bridges, Chopper Harris, Paddy Mulligan and others - reminding us all of the giant he was in the game.
“In London, Bobby was a superstar. 202 goals for his beloved Chelsea - a record that stood for decades until Frank Lampard came along.
“He loved returning to the Bridge, where he was worshipped.
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Bobby Tambling unveiling a plaque in his honour at Stamford Bridge in 2019(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
“Seeing his “Tambling 202” banner proudly displayed and having a suite named in his honour always filled him with quiet pride.
“He cherished hearing the fans sing his name one more time and feeling the electric buzz of match day, which brought back so many beautiful memories of victories, friendships, and goals.
“But no matter how much he loved Chelsea, Crosshaven was always home with his beloved Val.
“Walking the dogs, enjoying dinners with family and friends, having a flutter at the bookies, and being part of the local football community — these were the simple things that made him happiest.
“Bobby leaves an enormous hole in all our lives. We are all better, kinder, and richer for having known him. His warmth, his wisdom, his humour and his love will stay with us forever.
“To his loving family, his close friends, and his adoring Chelsea family — we send our deepest, most heartfelt condolences. We have all lost a true legend, and a very special man.
“To Valerie, despite his battle with Alzheimer’s, I clearly remember Bobby in a moment of clarity saying, “She’s the best, I’d be lost without her”. You cried but he was right. The dedication you showed to him was absolutely incredible.
“Rest in peace, Bobby. You will never be forgotten.”
Premier League giants Chelsea also posted a tribute, which read: “Chelsea Football Club has very sadly lost one of our most legendary players with the passing of Bobby Tambling at the age of 84.
“We send our deepest condolences to Bobby’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
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