Erich Schaedler
Encyclopedia
Erich Peter Schaedler was a Scottish
professional footballer
of German
extraction, who played as a left back
. Schaedler was the son of a German POW.
Born in Biggar, South Lanarkshire
, Schaedler started his career at Stirling Albion
in 1969 before moving to Hibernian
later that year. It was at Easter Road
that he would enjoy his greatest success, forming part of the "Turnbull's Tornadoes" side that won the Drybrough Cup
then League Cup
in 1972-73
, and the Drybrough Cup in 1973-74
. This side also finished second in the Scottish League in consecutive seasons.
Schaedler was awarded his only Scotland cap
during this period, against West Germany
. He was selected in the squad for the 1974 FIFA World Cup
but did not play in the tournament.
Schaedler moved to Dundee
in 1977, where he collected his final medal, for a First Division
championship, in 1978-79
. He returned to Hibs in 1981, playing for four seasons before moving to Dumbarton
. Schaedler was still playing senior football when he committed suicide
on Christmas Eve
1985, aged only 36.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
of German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
extraction, who played as a left back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. Schaedler was the son of a German POW.
Born in Biggar, South Lanarkshire
Biggar, South Lanarkshire
Biggar is a town and former burgh in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is situated in the Southern Uplands, near the River Clyde, around 30 miles from Edinburgh along the A702. The closest towns are Lanark and Peebles, and as such Biggar serves a wide rural area...
, Schaedler started his career at Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
in 1969 before moving to Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
later that year. It was at Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
that he would enjoy his greatest success, forming part of the "Turnbull's Tornadoes" side that won the Drybrough Cup
Drybrough Cup
The Drybrough Cup was a Scottish annual football tournament. It was held from 1971 until 1974, and was revived from 1979 to 1980. It was open to the four highest-scoring teams from Division 1, and the four highest-scoring teams from Division 2. The format allowed the tournament to have three...
then League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
in 1972-73
1972-73 in Scottish football
The 1972–73 season was the 76th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Kilmarnock, Airdrieonians-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: Clyde, Dunfermline Athletic...
, and the Drybrough Cup in 1973-74
1973-74 in Scottish football
The 1973–74 season was the 77th season of Scottish league football.-Scottish League Division One:Champions: Celtic Relegated: East Fife, Falkirk-Scottish League Division Two:Promoted: Airdrieonians, Kilmarnock...
. This side also finished second in the Scottish League in consecutive seasons.
Schaedler was awarded his only Scotland cap
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
during this period, against West Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
. He was selected in the squad for the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
but did not play in the tournament.
Schaedler moved to Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
in 1977, where he collected his final medal, for a First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
championship, in 1978-79
1978-79 in Scottish football
The 1978-1979 season was the 82nd season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier Division:Champions: Celtic Relegated: Hearts, Motherwell-Scottish League Division One:Promoted: Dundee, Kilmarnock...
. He returned to Hibs in 1981, playing for four seasons before moving to Dumbarton
Dumbarton F.C.
Dumbarton Football Club is Scotland's 4th oldest football club – founded in 1872, just after Queen's Park , Kilmarnock and Stranraer...
. Schaedler was still playing senior football when he committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
1985, aged only 36.