Chelsea legend pays heartwarming tribute to Bobby Tambling after icon’s death

Ron Harris has paid tribute to former Chelsea team-mate Bobby Tambling after his sad passing.

The Blues legend, who spent 13 years at Stamford Bridge, has died aged 84.

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Tambling scored 202 goals in 370 appearances for Chelsea between 1957 and 1970.

His tally made him the club’s all-time top scorer until he was surpassed by Frank Lampard in 2013.

The former England striker also won the League Cup alongside Harris in 1965.

After leaving Chelsea, Tambling joined Crystal Palace before ending his career in the Republic of Ireland.

During his time in Ireland, he had spells with Cork Celtic, Waterford, Shamrock Rovers and Cork Alberts.

Tambling tribute

Following Tambling’s death, Harris joined Ally McCoist and Gabby Agbonlahor on Thursday’s talkSPORT Breakfast show.

Paying tribute to his former team-mate, the Chelsea icon said: “I played with Bob for many years.

“He was a fantastic player. A good trainer, came in every day, very seldom missed games and scored goals left, right and centre.

“I think he would have a field day today with people not allowed to tackle, whereas years ago in our time, people used to put some stick around and that.

“Bob was a fantastic trainer, a fantastic lad and a fantastic player.”

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Tambling had been tasked with replacing Jimmy Greaves in the side after his move to AC Milan in 1961.

Asked if those were big shoes to fill, Harris added: “That is true for somebody to do that, but Bob very seldom missed games.

“He was a good trainer, good lad and always worth a goal or two in games. He’s a fantastic lad. It’s sad that he’s passed away.”

The former Chelsea captain continued: “Most of the lads were mingled together and had a laugh and a giggle.

“If somebody got invited out to a function or anything like that, Bob would be one of the first ones to put his name down to go and do a presentation and things like that.

“He was a great lad, Bob, on and off the field.”

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Harris played alongside Tambling at Chelsea for eight years after making his first-team debut in 1962.

The defender went on to become the club’s all-time record appearance maker with 795 outings for the Blues.

As well as winning the League Cup with Tambling, Harris also lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971.

He left the club in 1980 to join Brentford before retiring three years later.