Former Islander Bobby Tambling has died on Ireland, where he moved to during the 1970s
Former Chelsea record goalscorer and Hayling Island native Bobby Tambling has died at the age of 84.
The legendary Stamford Bridge forward passwed away after a long illness in County Cork, Ireland. In recent years, he had been living with dementia.
Tambling scored 202 goals for Chelsea, after being scouted by the London Blues in 1957 as a 15-year-old while playing for Havant FC’s youth team.
His first goal for the club came on his debut as a 17-year-old in 1959, as he netted in a 3-2 win against West Ham.
The forward’s goal tally would remain a club record for more than 40 years until Frank Lampard surpassed it in May 2013.
While at Chelsea, Tambling won the League Cup in 1965 and scored in the final against Leicester.
He also scored as the Londoners lost the 1967 FA Cup final to Spursand won three caps for England.
He later joined Crystal Palace in 1970., where he scored 12 goals in 68 appearances before retiring from the professional ranks.
Bobby Tambling salutes the Chelsea fans during a visit to Stamford Bridge in 2013placeholder image
Bobby Tambling salutes the Chelsea fans during a visit to Stamford Bridge in 2013 | Getty Images
In the later part of his playing career, Tambling had a sports shop in Havant, by the train station, that was run by his brother Don.
He also returned to the area and managed Hayling for a season, before moving to Ireland in the early 1970s, where he remained.
While there, the former England international managed local sides Cork Celtic, Cork City and Crosshaven AFC.
Cork Celtic captured its only League of Ireland championship in 1974 under Tambling’s leadership. He also guided Crosshaven to their one and only appearance in the FAI Senior Cup in 1986.
A statement from Crosshaven 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.’
It added: ‘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.’
Tambling is survived by his partner Valerie O’Connell and his sons, Garry and Glenn.
Continue Reading