Bobby Tambling, the great Chelsea player who held the English club’s all-time scoring record for decades, has died. He was 84.
Tambling’s death was confirmed on Thursday by Chelsea, which did not reveal further details, and by Irish football club Crosshaven, where he had a spell as manager.
Chelsea described Tambling as “one of our most legendary players” and said: “His name is written very large in our history.”
His 202 goals in 370 games for Chelsea from 1959 to 1970 made him the team’s record goalscorer until 2013, when Frank Lampard surpassed the total.
Tambling made his Chelsea debut at the age of 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 one match against Aston Villa in 1966 remains a Chelsea record. He also played for Crystal Palace and earned three caps for England.
After settling in Cork, Ireland, Tambling managed Cork Celtic, Cork City and Crosshaven. According to the Britain’s Press Association, Tambling has been diagnosed with dementia in recent years.
“It is with the deepest hearts that Crosshaven AFC announce the passing of our dear friend and former manager, Bobby Tambling – a true Chelsea legend and an even greater human being,” the team said in a post on X.
«His passion for football was absolutely infectious. Bobby leaves a huge hole in all our lives. We are all better, kinder and richer for having known him.»
Published on June 4, 2026
