Another Chelsea great has left us. RIP Marvin.

Marvin Hinton 1940-2025

It is with tremendous sadness that Chelsea Football Club announces the passing yesterday of Marvin Hinton, a cultured defender and trophy-winner for the club in the 1960s and 1970s. He was 85.

We send our deepest condolences to Marvin’s family and friends at this difficult time.

A south Londoner by birth, Hinton moved from Charlton to Chelsea in 1963 as the first signing by manager Tommy Docherty after winning promotion back to the top division. Docherty described him as ‘just the man we need’.

By the time the versatile defender, who cost £30,000, had left 13 years later, there were three cup winner’s medals in his collection and 344 appearances to his name.

‘Suave Marv’ was a progressive player ahead of his time. In 2023 he visited our Cobham training centre for a celebration for his 80th birthday that had been delayed due to the pandemic. He delighted in watching the players train and meeting them afterwards, and speculated on just how his approach to the game might have fitted into modern-day football.

Comfortable in possession, tactically adaptable and able to ease strikers off the ball rather than forced to tackle, he would have done just fine.

While Hinton’s style of play had found a big fan in Docherty, making him one of the most-selected squad members, it was less in favour under his successor Dave Sexton, a former boxer who admired aggression.

Nevertheless, the defender remained indispensable in the wider squad and although he started both the 1970 FA Cup final and the replay on the bench (in an era of only one substitute), he was introduced into the action at both Wembley and Old Trafford, and so was there on the pitch when the final whistle was blown to herald the Blues as winners of the FA Cup for the first time in our history.

Marvin Hinton (second from right, back row) and the rest of Chelsea's 1970 FA Cup winners

Five years earlier, Hinton had been a starter in both legs of our League Cup final triumph over Leicester City, the club’s first major knockout trophy success. Though primarily a central defender, at this stage of his Blues career he had been deployed at right-back as the unfortunate Ken Shellito struggled with the injury that would ultimately end his career.

By 1967, though, Docherty's more innovative use of him was gaining recognition. ‘Chelsea strategy is built around tight marking and the deployment of centre half Marvin Hinton as a “free” defender,’ enthused the Mirror’s Ken Jones. ‘Hinton’s role is that of a “sweeper”, moving quickly to cover at each point of attack.’

He played centrally in that year’s FA Cup final against Tottenham but - like many of his team-mates - was dismissive of his performance on a disappointing day.

Hinton’s all-round quality as a footballer lent itself to playing anywhere in the defence. Left-back, centre-back and sweeper were all positions he played, the last of which he rated his best. That was due to his ability to bring the ball down, take it forward and play. It was a cultured style out of step with the era but one that would not look out of place today. Defensively, Hinton was good at reading the game and anticipating where danger lay.

Challenging Derby County in the air at Stamford Bridge

‘I would think it is no good just kicking it, I liked to pull it down and shuffle it, pass it, get it back again and then set them off,’ he recalled.

‘Ronnie [Harris] would do the tackling and I used to pick up the pieces and look and have time. It was a different game altogether from now. It was not easy to play on the heavy grounds but we were successful and it was the first time Chelsea had won cups.’

Teaming up in defence with Ron Harris (on the ball) against Bobby Charlton and Man United in 1973

Hinton was one of six Chelsea players named in Alf Ramsey’s provisional 40-strong squad for the 1966 World Cup but like all apart from Peter Bonetti, he did not make the final 22. He was capped at England Under-23 level.

He was on the infamous list of Blues players sent home for breaking curfew at Blackpool in 1965 but remained a Docherty favourite. Then the more pragmatic Sexton took over, recruiting new defenders John Dempsey, Paddy Mulligan and David Webb. Hinton had actually been offered to Southampton in the deal that brought Webb to the Bridge, and Sexton would only usually turn to him when injuries forced his hand.

The player himself admitted he was some distance from being the fittest or best trainer in the squad, qualities the new manager valued. However, Hinton outlasted Sexton at Stamford Bridge.

Though he was not involved in the 1971 Cup Winners’ Cup final victory over Real Madrid, one of his four Chelsea goals came during that cup campaign, at home to Aris Salonika following a 30-yard run and the swapping of passes with Peter Osgood.

Hinton during his visit to Cobham in March 2023

Hinton’s time in the team effectively came to an end when former team-mate Eddie McCreadie took over as manager in 1975 and had the unenviable task of informing Hinton and three more of his old friends, John Hollins, Peter Houseman and Steve Kember, that he was opting for youth over experience at a time of strife for the club both on and off the pitch.

After leaving Chelsea in 1976, Hinton had a spell in non-league football at Barnet before retiring.

5 hours ago, erskblue said:

If I close my eyes I can take myself back to that very warm, sunny Saturday afternoon when it all came right; Gate 13 was rammed and in good voice. We were emerging from the wilderness years and things looked good. There have been ups and downs since - but that day was a belter, and stuffing Leeds 5-0 an absolute pleasure. Up the Blues!

6 hours ago, Boyne said:

Another Chelsea great has left us. RIP Marvin.

Marvin Hinton 1940-2025

It is with tremendous sadness that Chelsea Football Club announces the passing yesterday of Marvin Hinton, a cultured defender and trophy-winner for the club in the 1960s and 1970s. He was 85.

We send our deepest condolences to Marvin’s family and friends at this difficult time.

A south Londoner by birth, Hinton moved from Charlton to Chelsea in 1963 as the first signing by manager Tommy Docherty after winning promotion back to the top division. Docherty described him as ‘just the man we need’.

By the time the versatile defender, who cost £30,000, had left 13 years later, there were three cup winner’s medals in his collection and 344 appearances to his name.

‘Suave Marv’ was a progressive player ahead of his time. In 2023 he visited our Cobham training centre for a celebration for his 80th birthday that had been delayed due to the pandemic. He delighted in watching the players train and meeting them afterwards, and speculated on just how his approach to the game might have fitted into modern-day football.

Comfortable in possession, tactically adaptable and able to ease strikers off the ball rather than forced to tackle, he would have done just fine.

While Hinton’s style of play had found a big fan in Docherty, making him one of the most-selected squad members, it was less in favour under his successor Dave Sexton, a former boxer who admired aggression.

Nevertheless, the defender remained indispensable in the wider squad and although he started both the 1970 FA Cup final and the replay on the bench (in an era of only one substitute), he was introduced into the action at both Wembley and Old Trafford, and so was there on the pitch when the final whistle was blown to herald the Blues as winners of the FA Cup for the first time in our history.

Marvin Hinton (second from right, back row) and the rest of Chelsea's 1970 FA Cup winners

Five years earlier, Hinton had been a starter in both legs of our League Cup final triumph over Leicester City, the club’s first major knockout trophy success. Though primarily a central defender, at this stage of his Blues career he had been deployed at right-back as the unfortunate Ken Shellito struggled with the injury that would ultimately end his career.

By 1967, though, Docherty's more innovative use of him was gaining recognition. ‘Chelsea strategy is built around tight marking and the deployment of centre half Marvin Hinton as a “free” defender,’ enthused the Mirror’s Ken Jones. ‘Hinton’s role is that of a “sweeper”, moving quickly to cover at each point of attack.’

He played centrally in that year’s FA Cup final against Tottenham but - like many of his team-mates - was dismissive of his performance on a disappointing day.

Hinton’s all-round quality as a footballer lent itself to playing anywhere in the defence. Left-back, centre-back and sweeper were all positions he played, the last of which he rated his best. That was due to his ability to bring the ball down, take it forward and play. It was a cultured style out of step with the era but one that would not look out of place today. Defensively, Hinton was good at reading the game and anticipating where danger lay.

Challenging Derby County in the air at Stamford Bridge

‘I would think it is no good just kicking it, I liked to pull it down and shuffle it, pass it, get it back again and then set them off,’ he recalled.

‘Ronnie [Harris] would do the tackling and I used to pick up the pieces and look and have time. It was a different game altogether from now. It was not easy to play on the heavy grounds but we were successful and it was the first time Chelsea had won cups.’

Teaming up in defence with Ron Harris (on the ball) against Bobby Charlton and Man United in 1973

Hinton was one of six Chelsea players named in Alf Ramsey’s provisional 40-strong squad for the 1966 World Cup but like all apart from Peter Bonetti, he did not make the final 22. He was capped at England Under-23 level.

He was on the infamous list of Blues players sent home for breaking curfew at Blackpool in 1965 but remained a Docherty favourite. Then the more pragmatic Sexton took over, recruiting new defenders John Dempsey, Paddy Mulligan and David Webb. Hinton had actually been offered to Southampton in the deal that brought Webb to the Bridge, and Sexton would only usually turn to him when injuries forced his hand.

The player himself admitted he was some distance from being the fittest or best trainer in the squad, qualities the new manager valued. However, Hinton outlasted Sexton at Stamford Bridge.

Though he was not involved in the 1971 Cup Winners’ Cup final victory over Real Madrid, one of his four Chelsea goals came during that cup campaign, at home to Aris Salonika following a 30-yard run and the swapping of passes with Peter Osgood.

Hinton during his visit to Cobham in March 2023

Hinton’s time in the team effectively came to an end when former team-mate Eddie McCreadie took over as manager in 1975 and had the unenviable task of informing Hinton and three more of his old friends, John Hollins, Peter Houseman and Steve Kember, that he was opting for youth over experience at a time of strife for the club both on and off the pitch.

After leaving Chelsea in 1976, Hinton had a spell in non-league football at Barnet before retiring.

Sad news . RIP.

For some reason I remember him for his regular, perfect sliding tackles on opponents.

For those of you who were not lucky enough to see Marvin play, I can assure you that he was an outstanding player, remarkably cool and collected in the days of quagmire pitches and teams that took no prisoners! So clean in the tackle, good in the air and authoratative in the heart of the defence. My lasting memory of Marvin was travelling back from an away game on the same train as the players … I bumped into him in the corridor … “Marvin, I said, “ do you know you’re the best centre-half in the world?” He looked me up and down … I was maybe 13/14 … and casually replied “Yes, I know!”

Sad news of the passing of Marvin Hinton. R.I.P.

Just like this picture.

Posted before, Moscow Dynamo game in Nov 1945.

Busy at The Shed End,wasn’t it!

‘The Cat’ punches clear v Fulham. 2nd Sept 1961. A 0-0 draw.

‘The Cat’ saves at the feet of Joe Baker at Highbury on 26th Sept 1964. We won 3-1.

‘The Cat’ in action against Stoke. 17th Oct 1964. We won 4-0.

‘The Cat’ against Dirty Leeds in May 1967. A 2-2 draw.

Paul Canoville scoring v Swansea. 6th Dec 1983. He scored a hat trick that night as we won 6-1.

And deservedly taking the match ball at the end of the match.

Think it’s King Kerry hitting the crossbar during the same match.

Wee Pat Nevin scores during this match.

https://www.chelseaheritagepartnership.com/post/those-were-the-days-recognising-remembrance-and-our-service-personnel

On 6 December 1997.

Mark Hughes with an acrobatic volley.

That Clive Walker ‘Chelsea Saving Goal’ v Bolton back in May 1983. Again Thank You !

‘The Cat’ in action and safely catches the ball from Carpenetti of Roma.. We won 4-1.

22nd September 1965.Inter Fairs City Cup.

2 mins of highlights from the 4-1 Roma game of Sept 1965.

1. 

   Gordon Davies finds the net at Goodison Park in December 1984. We won 4-3.

Colin Pates in action at Goodison in the same match. And celebrates his goal.

The 4-3 scoreline updates reflect the fact that Chelsea’s extra zip and incisiveness always had the upper hand:

1-0 after nine minutes, 1-1 on 35, 2-1 five minutes before half-time, 3-1 just past the hour through Colin Pates (pictured top), 3-2 after 69 minutes with the first of Graeme Sharp’s brace of penalties, 4-2 as Davies completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes to go, and finally 4-3 with Sharp’s last-minute spot-kick.

Sheff Wed in the League Cup 1985. Probably been posted before!