Bobby Tambling, former Chelsea striker and legend, has died aged 84. Tambling was the Blues' top scorer for decades, with 202 goals in 370 games between 1959 and 1970, a mark that would be surpassed by Frank Lampard in May 2013.
He debuted for Chelsea's first team at just 17 years old – and immediately with a goal – and helped the London club win the League Cup in 1965, having scored in the final against Leicester. Two years later, in 1967, he also scored a goal in the FA Cup final, lost to Tottenham. Capped by England on three occasions, Tambling joined Crystal Palace in 1970.
In 1973, he went to the Republic of Ireland to represent Cork Celtic, the country where he would end his career and take up residence, in Cork. In local football he also took on technical roles, guiding Cork Celtic, Cork City and Crosshaven.
In recent years, Bobby Tambling lived with dementia. Crosshaven published a statement on the X network, hailing him as “a true Chelsea legend and an even more extraordinary human being”, highlighting his “warmth, wisdom, humor and love”. The same note said that Tambling enjoyed returning to Stamford Bridge, where he was revered, always being moved to see the “Tambling 202” banner and the suite named in his honour.