"Image source, Getty Images Former Scotland and Chelsea player Eddie McCreadie, who was once hailed by Tommy Docherty as the best left-back in Europe and went on to manage the London club, has died at the age of 85. Born in Glasgow, 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 with an extra-time, replay victory over Leeds United."
"McCreadie, though, would go from the Scottish Second Division to being hailed by Docherty as the best left-back in Europe and making 410 appearances for Chelsea. His combative, attacking style was reminiscent of modern-day wing-backs and he memorably stood in for the injured Barry Bridges as an emergency centre-forward in that 1965 League Cup final victory, scoring a fine solo goal where he ran almost the whole length of the field before slotting past England goalkeeper Gordon Banks."
"Growing up in Cowcaddens, McCreadie was overlooked by scouts at local club Partick Thistle and instead joined Falkirk outfit East Stirlingshire. It was while there that he was spotted by Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty, who took him to Stamford Bridge for just 5,000, a transfer deal that included provision for Chelsea playing two friendlies against East Stirlingshire - the second of which never happened."
Eddie McCreadie, born in Glasgow, made 410 appearances for Chelsea and earned 23 Scotland caps. He scored the winning goal in the 1965 League Cup final and helped Chelsea win the FA Cup in 1970 after an extra-time replay against Leeds United. He played in Scotland's 3-2 victory over England at Wembley. He missed the 1971 Cup Winners' Cup final through injury and experienced FA Cup final defeats. He rose from East Stirlingshire after being signed for £5,000 by Tommy Docherty. He was known for a combative, attacking style reminiscent of modern wing-backs and later managed Chelsea. He died aged 85.
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