The Scottish Connection - Part Two

In part one of The Scottish Connection, I wrote about the club’s Scottish players and managers from the founding of Chelsea in 1905 to the end of World War Two.

In part two, I look at the players and managers from post-war 1940s to the end of the 1960s.

Part two is dedicated to former Chelsea player and manager Eddie McCreadie, who sadly passed away this month at the age of 85. I write about Eddie in this blog in the 1960s section.

Anna Welsh

Source: Illustrated London News

Post-War 1940s

Two months after World War Two ended, football returned to Stamford Bridge in a spectacular way. Dynamo Moscow, who had been invited to tour Britain, arrived at the club on 13th November. Fans flocked to the stadium to see the Soviet-side play the blues. The capacity that day was given as 75,000 however, it is estimated that it was more around 100,000. (BBC Sport, 2020). The crowds continued to rise in general for football and it is estimated that by 1948/49 Football League attendance soared to 41 million. (The Guardian, 2020). With the return to football came the arrival of more Scottish-born players at Chelsea.

In 1946, Bill Robertson was the first Scottish-born player to sign for Chelsea after World War Two ended. Bill, a goalkeeper born in Glasgow, joined the club from West Scotland team Arthurlie. In 1951, it was reported that Bill, alongside a few other players, received a benefit cheque on behalf of the club from manager Billy Birrell. The same report also stated “he has only established himself as a first team goalkeeper in recent months. He was only a youngster when he came to Stamford Bridge.” (Evening News (London), 1951, p.5). Bill would be part of the team who won the 1954/55 First Division championship. In 1955, the Liverpool Echo reported that Bill was “said to have the biggest hands of any modern goalkeeper.” (Liverpool Echo, 1955, p.6). In 1960, Bill’s loyalty to the club was

praised “Robertson, who has been with Chelsea for nearly 14 years, has had plenty of offers, but has stayed with the club with which he made his name. Not many of Chelsea’s championship winning players are still at Stamford Bridge.” (Evening News (London) 1960, p.7). Bill moved to Leighton Orient in 1960.

Shortly after Bill Robertson joined Chelsea, he was followed by Falkirk-born John Galloway. Chelsea reportedly paid £4,000 to Rangers for John. Of his transfer, the Daily Record said “John Galloway’s move to Stamford Bridge, it may be said, was dictated by domestic circumstances. During his period with the Forces, from which he has just recently been demobilised, he married a South of England girl and made his home in the London area. I know he will be sorry to leave Ibrox.” (Daily Record, 1946, p.7). John would only make a very small number of first team appearances for Chelsea.

Source: Reveille

Tommy Walker, born in Livingstone, would join Chelsea in September 1946 “After all the negotiating and bargaining of the week, Tommy Walker, the Heart of Midlothian and Scotland international inside-right, has been transferred to Chelsea. Charlton, who made strong efforts to secure his signature, finally dropped out of the hunt.” (Aberdeen Press and Journal, 1946, p.3). The Edinburgh Evening News mentioned that Tommy Walker had said a farewell to Hearts fans in an interview “It is to the Hearts’ followers I want to say this: To leave Tynecastle now is something like leaving one’s own home. What happy memories and thrilling experiences the Gorgie enclosure holds for me. Yet there comes a time when circumstances dictate that the bond which binds me to Hearts must break. It has now come.” (Edinburgh Evening News, 1946, p.5). Chelsea wrote of Tommy “Walker graced a

stellar post-war forward line with mazy dribbles, superbly effective bursts of pace and an ability to spread play and stretch opponents. In little more than 100 games he also found the net 24 times.” (Chelsea FC, c.2026 (a)). Tommy was described in the Orkney Herald as “a gentleman on and off the field, whom it is a pleasure to meet!” (Orkney Herald, 1947, p.6). After leaving Chelsea in 1948, Tommy returned to Hearts, where he would later become manager.

You can read the full blog post here: https://thelittlebluechelseablog.wordpress.com/2026/01/16/the-

scottish-connection-part-two/