LONDON (AP) 鈥� Bobby Tambling, the Chelsea great who held the English club鈥檚 all-time scoring record for decades, has died. He was 84.
Tambling’s death was confirmed Thursday by Chelsea, which didn’t disclose more details, as well as Irish club Crosshaven, where he had a spell as manager.
Chelsea described Tambling as 鈥渙ne of our most legendary players鈥� and said 鈥渉is name is written very large in our history.鈥�
His 202 goals in 370 appearances for Chelsea from 1959-1970 made him the team鈥檚 record scorer until 2013, when surpassed the tally.
Tambling made his Chelsea debut at age 17 in 1959 and was part of the team that won the League Cup in 1965, scoring against Leicester in the final.
His five goals in a single match against Aston Villa in 1966 remains a Chelsea record. He also played for Crystal Palace, and earned three international caps for England.
After settling in Cork, Ireland, Tambling managed Cork Celtic, Cork City and Crosshaven. Britain’s Press Association said Tambling had been diagnosed with dementia in recent years.
鈥淚t is with the heaviest of hearts that Crosshaven AFC announce the passing of our dear friend and former manager, Bobby Tambling 鈥� a true Chelsea legend and an even more wonderful human being,” the team said in a .
鈥淗is passion for football was absolutely infectious. Bobby leaves an enormous hole in all our lives. We are all better, kinder, and richer for having known him.”
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