Tribute to Eddie McCreadie: A Legacy in Football

Eddie McCreadie, a distinguished former player for both Scotland and Chelsea, has passed away at the age of 85. Once hailed by manager Tommy Docherty as the finest left-back in Europe, McCreadie enjoyed a notable career not only as a player but also as a manager of the London club.

Born in Glasgow, McCreadie was instrumental in Chelsea’s triumph in the 1965 League Cup final against Leicester City, where he scored the decisive goal. He later contributed to the club’s FA Cup victory five years later, securing a win against Leeds United in a replay that extended into extra time.

During his international career, McCreadie earned one of his 23 caps in a memorable 3-2 victory over England at Wembley, following England’s World Cup win the previous year. Despite this success, he also faced disappointment that same year when Chelsea fell to Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup final and missed the 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup final against Real Madrid due to injury.

Growing up in Cowcaddens, Glasgow, McCreadie was initially overlooked by scouts from local club Partick Thistle. Instead, he began his career with Falkirk outfit East Stirlingshire, where he caught the attention of Chelsea’s manager, Docherty. McCreadie was subsequently signed by Chelsea for £5,000, which included an agreement for two friendly matches against East Stirlingshire, although only one was ultimately played.

McCreadie transitioned from the Scottish Second Division to becoming a key player for Chelsea, making 410 appearances. His dynamic, attacking style paralleled that of contemporary wing-backs; he famously filled in as an emergency center-forward in the 1965 League Cup final, scoring a remarkable solo goal by sprinting nearly the length of the field before beating England goalkeeper Gordon Banks.

His FA Cup victory over Leeds gained notoriety as well, particularly for a memorable kung-fu style challenge on his Scotland teammate Billy Bremner, witnessed by an estimated 28 million viewers, with no penalty issued by the referee.

After retiring as a player, McCreadie joined Chelsea’s coaching staff in 1974 amidst the club’s challenges, eventually taking over as manager in April 1975. Although he could not avert relegation, he began to rebuild the team around promising talent such as 18-year-old midfielder Ray Wilkins, leading Chelsea back to the First Division in 1977.

However, McCreadie’s tenure was cut short due to a disagreement with chairman Brian Mears over a company car, leading to his resignation. He later pursued coaching opportunities in the United States with the North American Soccer League, working with the Memphis Rogues and the Cleveland Force before retiring from football in 1985.