Erich Peter Schaedler (6 August 1949 – 24 December 1985), nicknamed "Shades", was a Scottish professional footballer 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 won a First Division championship in 1978–79. He returned to Hibs in 1981, playing for four seasons before moving to Dumbarton. By 1984, he was running a public house, Shades, on Easter Road, Edinburgh, receiving a bravery award from Lothian and Borders Police in December 1984 when he and two police constables (who also received awards) confronted a man carrying a loaded shotgun at the pub. Schaedler was still playing senior football when he committed suicide at the age of 36 on Christmas Eve 1985 in the Cardrona Forest.
References
Sources
- Shades: The Short Life And Tragic Death of Erich Schaedler by Colin Leslie; Black and White Publishing, October 2013. ISBN 9781845025410
External links
- Erich Schaedler at the Scottish Football Association
- Erich Schaedler at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
