Ibrahim Oladamola
Former Chelsea player and manager John Hollins has died aged 76, the club has announced.
Hollins made almost 600 appearances as a player for the club, scoring 64 times during his two spells at Stamford Bridge between 1963 and 1984.
“He was a hero to the fans of this club, and very much that to me,” Chelsea board member Daniel Finkelstein said.
“He was at the heart of one of Chelsea’s greatest teams and, as well as contributing to its trophy success, he expressed its spirit.
“He lifted up the team with his play and lit up the Bridge with his smile. He gave a life of service to this club, as a player, as a manager and as a matchday ambassador. He was greatly loved and will be much missed.”
Hollins won one England cap at the age of 20 in 1967, starting in a friendly win over Spain.
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Two-time player of the year winner Hollins, a product of Chelsea’s youth system, made his first-team debut at the age of 17.
He lifted the FA Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup during his first period at the club, leaving in 1975 and returning eight years later to help them earn promotion from the second tier.
Hollins’ 592 games place him fifth on Chelsea’s all-time appearances list behind John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ron Harris and Peter Bonetti.
His playing career also featured time at fellow London clubs Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal
He also went on to manage Swansea City, with whom he won the fourth-tier title in 2000, Rochdale, Raith, Stockport, Crawley and Weymouth.
Hollins’ son Chris tweeted: “My hero, best friend and dad left us today.
“He was so modest but I will say it: He was a great player, brilliant team-mate and one hell of a person. My Mum, sister and all his grandchildren will miss him so much.”
Former Chelsea and England captain John Terry tweeted condolences to the friends and family of Hollins, who was was described as a “smashing guy” by former Wales international John Hartson.
Ex-Scotland forward David Speedie, who played alongside and under Hollins at Chelsea, said: “Long before the days of big money, social media and billionaire owners, John cemented his place as an all time Chelsea FC legend. He’ll be missed by everyone who knew him.”
