East Stirlingshire pay tribute to Eddie McCreadie after ex-Scotland star's death
Scotland and Chelsea legend Eddie McCreadie, who started out his famed football career at East Stirlingshire, has died aged 85.
Glasgow-born McCreadie scored Chelsea's winning goal in the 1965 League Cup final against Leicester City and helped the Blues lift the FA Cup five years later.
The tough-tacking full-back spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge as a player before managing the club for two years.
One of his 23 Scotland caps came in a famous 3-2 victory over England, earning McCreadie a place in history as one of the ‘Wembley Wizards’.
Locally, he will be forever known as one of the ‘Shire’s greatest-ever players, and will remembered for his three-season spell that won him a move to the Stamford Bridge giants.
The unlikely path from Firs Park to Fulham Road is one that is well documented, with fellow ‘Shire stars of that era, Jimmy Mulholland and Tommy Knox, also going to on play for Chelsea.
“Everyone at East Stirlingshire FC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player and one of our all time greats, Eddie McCreadie,” a club spokesperson said.
“Eddie joined the Shire in 1958 from Clydebank, after turning down an offer to join Fulham and instead choose to sign with the 'Shire as he didn't feel he was physically ready to play in the English top league at that time.
"He joined 'Shire as a forward but soon moved to the full back position where his undoubted talent shone through, where he spent three seasons with the Shire making a total of 104 appearances, scoring 11 times.
“Eddie left the Shire in April 1962, joining Chelsea for a fee of £5,000 forging a legendary career with the Blues as both a player and a manager, playing in over 400 games and managing the club between 1975-1977.
“Our thoughts are with Eddie's family and friends at this sad time.”
Born in 1940, McCreadie is survived by his wife, Linda, and three children - Paul McCreadie, Sean McCreadie and Ann Marie MacMurray.
A post on the Scotland National Team’s official page read: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Eddie McCreadie following his passing.
“Capped 23 times for the National Team, McCreadie was part of the ‘Wembley Wizards’ team that beat England 3-2 in 1967.”
Chelsea FC said in a statement: “We are today mourning the loss of one of the great figures in our history, a tough but innovative full-back, the scorer of a supreme cup final goal, and – for a fleeting but memorable spell – a touchline leader.
“Eddie McCreadie, who passed away yesterday at the age of 85, was one of the small but illustrious group who both played for and managed Chelsea, and he enjoyed notable success in each of those roles.”
They added: “All at Chelsea Football Club send our deepest condolences to Eddie’s wife Linda and his other family and his friends.”