Chelsea legend Bobby Tambling said he was overcome with emotion after combining the club's title celebrations with a moment of huge personal significance.
Ahead of Sunday’s game against another of his former sides – Crystal Palace – he was handed three England caps by Gary Lineker.
They were caps he thought were lost forever, and the 73-year-old was visibly moved by the gesture.
Bobby Tambling (r) in action for Chelsea against Burnley in 1969
“It’s a very emotional day,’ he told Chelsea TV.
“We thought it would be because of what could happen today with Chelsea, but what I’m holding in my hands are the three England caps I won back in the early 1960s, which unfortunately were destroyed.
“Now they’re back in my hands again, I never thought I’d see them and I’m so proud to have them again.”
Tambling won his three caps between 1962 and 1966, after previously representing England at Under-23s level.
Picture here in 2013, Bobby Tambling has remained close to Chelsea
He made his debut against Wales in November 1962 and scored his first and only international goal in England’s 5-2 defeat against France in 1963.
With stiff competition in attacking roles from Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Jimmy Greaves, Tambling only featured once more for England – against Yugoslavia in 1966.
Despite scoring 202 goals in 370 appearance for the Blues, his short career with England remained at the forefront of his mind – and he could not hide his delight at being reunited with the momentous.
“My youngest son took them and had an accident with them, now I’ve got them back it’s a really happy day”
Bobby Tambling on getting his England caps back
“It was a complete surprise,” he added. “I can’t believe it, I’m still in shock and shall treasure these now.
“People ask if I won any England caps and I say I won three, then they look around the house and ask where they are.
“My youngest son took them and had an accident with them, but now I’ve got them back it’s a really happy day.”
Tambling’s perfect day was topped off by watching Eden Hazard score the only goal of the game against Alan Pardew's men.
It was enough to ensure Chelsea won the Premier League for the first time since 2010.
“They deserve it more than anybody else,” added Tambling.
“They’ve been so consistent and deserve to be where they are.
“It just shows you how marvellous the manager is, this is the second team he’s built and it’s in its early days.”
