David HAY

David Hay joined Chelsea at the beginning of the 1974/1975 season, having just returned from the World Cup

in West Germany. Hay left Scottish giants Celtic for Stamford Bridge after picking up a number of trophies

with the Hoops, and departed with his status as a Celtic legend secure. The £225, 000 move brought Hay

from a club challenging for honours in Scotland to a side which was relegated to the Second Division of

English football by the end of the 74/75 season, as Chelsea suffered a lack of team spirit off the pitch,

and fighting spirit on it. A financial crisis at the club also compounded the Blues' problems, but Hay

remained steadfast in his belief that he had made the correct decision to join Chelsea.

A contract dispute had brought about the move, with Hay explaining: "As a Celtic player I enjoyed a

decent lifestyle but I felt my basic wage should have been higher. I went on strike for two weeks after

that. In a strange way, it was also brave as well, since everything at that time was stacked in favour of

the club. After the World Cup, I came home and withdrew my transfer request, having decided to stay

with Celtic, but I got a call one day to come in to see Big Jock {Stein} who told me there had been a

bid from Chelsea." Hay joined the club as a midfielder and in his debut season at the club he made

34 appearances, beginning with a defeat at home to Carlisle United.

After the club dropped down a division, Hay saw injuries limit him to 28 games in Division Two as

Chelsea struggled to a mid-table finish under manager Eddie McCreadie, who had taken over from

Ron Stuart, himself deputising for the departed Dave Sexton. Chelsea were promoted in 1976/77

under McCreadie and by this time Hay had dropped back into defence, ably partnering the young

Steve Wicks. Hay put in 31 shifts at centre-back and helped the club to a runners-up spot in

Division Two, just two points behind champions Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Although he fought to get Chelsea back into the First Division, Hay could only manage seven games

in 1977/78. He was eventually forced to retire from the game after suffering a knee injury, and a

problem with a detached retina which gradually cost him the sight in his right eye. Chelsea fans

bemoan the fact that they only saw Hay at the club after he had reached his peak, but he did

manage to leave a legacy during a bleak time for the Londoners, making 120 appearances and

scoring three goals in four seasons at the club. (Rowan Farnham-Long)

David Hay is pictured playing for Chelsea during the match against Sheffield Utd on

15th February 1975. Photograph taken by George Herringshaw.  ©

His four season at Chelsea are recorded below.

11/11/70 v Denmark (H) W 1-0 (ECQ)

01/12/71 v Netherlands (A) L 2-1 (F)

14/11/73 v W.Germany (H) D 1-1 (F)