John Hollins

Chelsea legend and record appearance-maker who won FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners' Cup

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John William Hollins (16 July 1946 – 14 June 2023) was an English football player and manager. He initially played as a midfielder, before becoming an effective full-back later in his career. Hollins played in the Football League, predominantly for Chelsea, with whom he won the FA Cup, Football League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He made 592 appearances for Chelsea over two spells from 1963 to 1975 and from 1983 to 1984, making him one of six players to have made over 500 appearances for the club.

Quick Facts

Full name: John William Hollins
Born: 16 July 1946
Birthplace: Guildford, Surrey, England
Died: 14 June 2023
Position: Full-back, midfielder
Total caps: 744
Total goals: 63

Lore & Background

Hollins joined Chelsea as a youth player and made his debut against Swindon Town in September 1963 aged 17. He was known for his dedicated attitude and became a regular and eventually club captain. He played 592 games and scored 69 goals in his first spell, appearing in 400 out of 420 league games and making 167 consecutive appearances, a club record. He played in the 1965 League Cup final win over Leicester City, the 1967 FA Cup final loss to Tottenham, and supplied the cross for Ian Hutchinson's late headed equaliser in the 1970 FA Cup final win over Leeds United. He missed the 1971 Cup Winners' Cup final replay due to injury. He won a solitary England cap against Spain on 24 May 1967.

Reader's Guide

Hollins returned to Chelsea on a free transfer in 1983 and helped the club gain promotion back to the First Division in 1983–84, playing a further 30 times. He retired at the end of that season. He was immediately appointed coach at Chelsea; a year later he became first-team manager. Chelsea won the Full Members Cup in 1985–86. He was sacked in March 1988. He later managed Swansea City (winning the Division Three title in 1999–2000), Rochdale, and Crawley Town. He also had spells as caretaker manager at QPR and Stockport County, and managed Stockport Tiger Star.

Did You Know?

Hollins made 714 First Division appearances, an English top division record for an outfield player and second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
He was Chelsea's player of the year two years running (1969–70 and 1970–71).
At age 36, he won the Arsenal Supporters Club player of the season award in 1982.
He was appointed MBE for services to football in the 1982 Birthday Honours.
His son Chris was the main sports presenter on BBC Breakfast between 2005 and 2012.