Two years later, he scored on his full debut for the club against West Bromwich Albion in the First Division.
Within a year, Tindall had established himself in the Chelsea first team and, though the side's form was often erratic, he struck up a prolific strike partnership with the emerging Jimmy Greaves.
By the end of 1961, both Greaves and manager Ted Drake had left Chelsea and Tommy Docherty was appointed in Drake's place; Tindall became surplus to requirements as Docherty concentrated on re-building the Chelsea side around the new generation of youngsters.
He was sold to West Ham United in November 1961 in part exchange for Andy Malcolm.
Upon signing for Chelsea, Tindall negotiated a special arrangement with the club, whereby he was allowed to miss the first and last months of the football season to play cricket for Surrey.
Easily his most successful season with the ball was 1962, when he got his chance after the retirements of the Surrey off-spinners Jim Laker and Eric Bedser and took 66 wickets at 23.92.