Liverpool-born wing-half Bobby Campbell came through the club’s junior ranks and turned professional in May 1954. He grew up close to Jimmy Melia, who later recalled that the pair had joined Liverpool as youngsters on the same day. “We literally have a lifelong friendship,” Melia wrote in his Brighton programme notes in 1983, when Campbell was managing Portsmouth. Campbell made his senior debut at Sheffield United on 15 September 1958 and scored in his second appearance, a 3-1 victory at Bristol City five days later. He featured in 13 matches during 1959/60, including Bill Shankly’s first game in charge, a 4-0 home defeat by Cardiff City. However, only two further appearances followed before he left Anfield in 1961 with 25 games and two goals to his name.
After a brief spell with Wigan Athletic, Campbell joined Portsmouth in November 1961 and later moved to Aldershot, where injury brought his playing career to an early end. Coaching provided a new direction. He returned to Portsmouth, helped Queens Park Rangers win promotion in 1973 as Gordon Jago’s assistant and worked under Bertie Mee at Arsenal before joining Fulham. Appointed manager at Craven Cottage in December 1976, he found himself in charge of two of football’s most celebrated players, George Best and Bobby Moore. Dismissed by Fulham in 1980, Campbell enjoyed greater success at Portsmouth, leading them to the Third Division championship in 1982/83. Following a spell in Kuwait, he joined Chelsea’s coaching staff and succeeded John Hollins as manager in March 1988. He could not prevent relegation through the play-offs, but Chelsea responded by winning the Second Division title with 99 points the following season. Fifth place in 1989/90 was their highest league finish for 20 years. After slipping to 11th the next season, Campbell was replaced as manager but briefly remained at the club as chairman Ken Bates’ personal assistant.
His coaching left a lasting impression. “He was beyond his years in terms of coaching,” recalled Chelsea forward Kevin Wilson, who felt he had only fully appreciated Campbell’s influence after moving on. Campbell returned to Kuwait in 1993 before retiring from management. He later lived near Stamford Bridge and regularly watched matches as Roman Abramovich’s guest, while retaining an interest in Chelsea’s academy.
