Nicknamed Chico after Chico Hamilton, a popular jazz musician of the era, he played five games for Chelsea in the 1966/67 season and although his career at the club was short, he set two club records that have remained in place to this day.

While still a junior player, he was handed his senior debut in a league game against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in March 1967, and headed the Chelsea goal in a 1-1 draw. Aged 16 years and 138 days, he became both our youngest men’s team player and our youngest goalscorer.

The Streatham-born midfielder or forward went on to start in a home win against Newcastle and then made substitute appearances against Blackpool and West Brom, before being named in the starting line-up for the final league game of the season when he scored the second of his two Chelsea goals, in a defeat at Leicester.

Hamilton was not involved in the 1967 FA Cup final that followed and although he did sign a professional contract at the start of 1968, he left for third division Southend United for a £5,000 fee for the following season, before rejoining with his manager at Chelsea, Tommy Docherty, at Aston Villa where he made over 200 appearances.

He later played at Sheffield United and in the United States.

Chelsea Football Club sends our deepest condolences to Ian’s family and friends.