Former
Chelsea player and manager John Hollins has died aged 76, the club has
announced.
Hollins played 592 times for the west London side - the fifth most in their
history - as a player between 1963 and 1975 before a three-year stint as
boss from 1985.
Chelsea board member Daniel Finkelstein said: "He was a hero to the fans of
this club and very much that to me.
"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."
Hollins also played more than 100 games for both Arsenal and Queens Park
Rangers on his way to claiming the record for most appearances by an
outfield player in English top-flight history.
The Surrey-born midfielder's sole England cap came in 1967, one year after
Sir Alf Ramsey's side had won the World Cup.
After leaving Highbury, Hollins returned to Stamford Bridge in 1983 for the
final year of his playing career, helping Chelsea win promotion back to the
First Division after a five-year absence.
He then replaced John Neal as boss a year later and led his side on a
credible title challenge during the 1985/86 season - his first as a manager
- topping the table in February before falling away after a poor finish and
ending up sixth.
Hollins went on to take a coaching role at QPR, briefly taking over as
caretaker manager in 1997, before stints in the Football League at Swansea,
Rochdale and Stockport. His last managerial role was with Weymouth in 2008.
Tributes to Hollins - who was appointed an MBE for services to football in
1982 - were led by his son, the journalist and presenter Chris Hollins, who
said: "John was always so modest about the role he played in Chelsea's
history.
"He was only 15 when he signed for the club and went on to win trophies in
those incredible sides of the '60s and '70s.
"He had so many stories, but he always told us he just loved running out at
the Bridge and wearing that famous blue shirt.
"We will miss him as a husband, a father and grandfather and will always be
proud of what he achieved in the game."
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