<\/p>\n
LONDON (AP) \u2014 Bobby Tambling, the Chelsea great who held the English club\u2019s all-time scoring record for decades, has died. He was 84.<\/p>\n
Tambling\u2019s death was confirmed Thursday by Chelsea, which didn\u2019t disclose more details, as well as Irish soccer club Crosshaven, where he had a spell as manager.<\/p>\n
Chelsea described Tambling as \u201cone of our most legendary players\u201d and said \u201chis name is written very large in our history.\u201d<\/p>\n
His 202 goals in 370 appearances for Chelsea from 1959-1970 made him the team\u2019s record scorer until 2013, when Frank Lampard surpassed the tally.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
After settling in Cork, Ireland, Tambling managed Cork Celtic, Cork City and Crosshaven. Britain\u2019s Press Association said Tambling had been diagnosed with dementia in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is with the heaviest of hearts that Crosshaven AFC announce the passing of our dear friend and former manager, Bobby Tambling \u2014 a true Chelsea legend and an even more wonderful human being,\u201d the team said in a post on <\/a>X.<\/p>\n \u201cHis 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.\u201d<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n AP soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n