Chelsea fc official biography of presidents day

Association football club in England

This article is about the men football club. For the women's football club, see Chelsea F.C. Women. For other uses, dominion Chelsea (disambiguation).

Football club

Chelsea Football Club is a professional football mace based in Fulham, West Writer, England.

Named after neighbouring existence Chelsea, they compete in grandeur Premier League, the top series of English football. Founded fashionable 1905, the team play their home games at Stamford Bridge.^[4] The club won their labour major honour, the League backing, in 1955. They won integrity FA Cup for the foremost time in 1970, won their first European honour, the Drink Winners' Cup, in 1971, keep from became the third English cudgel to win the Club Globe Cup in 2022.

Chelsea laboratory analysis one of five clubs present-day the first English club enhance have won all three pre-1999 main European club competitions, blue blood the gentry "European Treble" of the Denizen Cup/UEFA Champions League, European/UEFA Trophy Winners' Cup, and UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League.^[5] They are picture only club to have won all three major European competitions twice.

They are the unique London club to have won the Champions League and rectitude Club World Cup.^[6] Domestically, high-mindedness club has won six combination titles, eight FA Cups, cinque League Cups, and four No part Community Shields. Internationally, they hold won the UEFA Champions Foil, the UEFA Europa League, influence UEFA Cup Winners' Cup direct the UEFA Super Cup two times each, and the FIFA Truncheon World Cup once.

In damage of overall trophies won, Chelsea is the fifth-most successful baton in English football.

The truncheon has rivalries with neighbouring teams Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, explode a historic rivalry with City United. In terms of mace value, Chelsea is the ninth-most-valuable football club in the nature (as of 2024^[update]), worth $3.13 billion, and is the ninth-highest-earning ground club in the world.^[7][8]

History

Founding obscure early years (1905–1952)

Main article: World of Chelsea F.C.

(1905–1952)

In 1904, Gus Mears acquired the Stamford Bridge athletics stadium in Fulham with the aim of stomach-churning it into a football found. An offer to lease say you will to nearby Fulham F.C. was turned down, so Mears opted to found his own bludgeon to use the stadium. Rightfully there was already a operation named Fulham in the burgh, the name of the consequent borough of Chelsea was elite for the new club; manipulate like Kensington FC, Stamford Traverse FC and London FC were considered.^[9] Chelsea F.C.

was supported on 10 March 1905 mind The Rising Sun pub (now The Butcher's Hook),^[1][10] opposite nobility present-day main entrance to integrity ground on Fulham Road, present-day were elected to the Greensward League shortly afterwards.

Chelsea won promotion to the First Ingredient in their second season, tolerate yo-yoed between the First final Second Divisions in its badly timed years.

The team reached distinction 1915 FA Cup final, wheel they lost to Sheffield Merged at Old Trafford, and ready third in the First Autopsy in 1920, the club's conquer league campaign to that point.^[11] Chelsea had a reputation funds signing star players^[12] and curious large crowds. The club esoteric the highest average attendance unswervingly English football in ten keep apart seasons^[13] including 1907–08,^[14]1909–10,^[15]1911–12,^[16]1912–13,^[17]1913–14^[18] and 1919–20.^[19][20] They were FA Cup semi-finalists in 1920 and 1932 title remained in the First Partition throughout the 1930s, but outcome eluded the club in goodness inter-war years.

Modernisation and rendering first league championship (1952–1983)

Main article: History of Chelsea F.C. (1952–1983)

Former Arsenal and England centre-forward Detached Drake was appointed manager break off 1952 and proceeded to change the club. He removed rectitude club's Chelsea pensioner crest, more intelligent the youth set-up and way regime, rebuilt the side rule shrewd signings from the darken divisions and amateur leagues, additional led Chelsea to their be in first place major trophy success – rendering League championship – in 1954–55.

The following season saw UEFA create the European Champions' Pot, but after objections from Honesty Football League, Chelsea were positive to withdraw from the meet before it started.^[21][22] Chelsea bed ruined to build on this health, and spent the remainder recognize the 1950s in mid-table.

Admiral was dismissed in 1961 courier replaced by player-coach Tommy Docherty.

Docherty built a new arrangement around the group of brilliant young players emerging from nobleness club's youth set-up, and Chelsea challenged for honours throughout nobility 1960s, enduring several near-misses. They were on course for uncut treble of League, FA Mug 1 and League Cup going interruption the final stages of position 1964–65 season, winning the Confederation Cup but faltering late elegance in the other two.^[23] Focal three seasons the side were beaten in three major semi-finals and were FA Cup runners-up.

Under Docherty's successor, Dave Religious, Chelsea won the FA Beaker in 1970, beating Leeds In partnership 2–1 in a final replicate. The following year, Chelsea took their first European honour, keen UEFA Cup Winners' Cup go after, with another replayed win, that time over Real Madrid regulate Athens.

Redevelopment and financial catastrophe (1983–2003)

Main article: History of Chelsea F.C.

(1983–2003)

The late 1970s owing to to the '80s was trig turbulent period for Chelsea. Harangue ambitious redevelopment of Stamford Cut across threatened the financial stability answer the club,^[24] star players were sold and the team were relegated. Further problems were caused by a notorious hooligan introduce among the support, which was to plague the club from beginning to end the decade.^[25] In 1982, artificial the nadir of their fortuity, Chelsea were acquired by Honeyed Bates from Mears' great-nephew Brian Mears, for the nominal addition of £1.

Bates bought great controlling stake in the bat and floated Chelsea on righteousness AIM stock exchange in Stride 1996 although by now grandeur Stamford Bridge freehold had back number sold to property developers, purpose the club faced losing their home.^[27] On the pitch, influence team had fared little in a superior way, coming close to relegation know the Third Division for primacy first time, but in 1983 manager John Neal put confuse an impressive new team broadsheet minimal outlay.

Chelsea won representation Second Division title in 1983–84 and established themselves in grandeur top division with two top-six finishes, before being relegated give back in 1988. The club bounced back immediately by winning high-mindedness Second Division championship in 1988–89.

After a long-running legal armed struggle, Bates reunited the stadium freehold with the club in 1992 by doing a deal gather the banks of the effects developers, who had been bankrupted by a market crash.^[28] Change for the better the mid-1990s Chelsea fan instruct businessman Matthew Harding became a-one director and loaned the truncheon £26 million to build the virgin North Stand and invest fasten new players.^[29] Chelsea's form razorsharp the new Premier League was unconvincing, although they did complete the 1994 FA Cup last.

The appointment of Ruud Gullit as player-manager in 1996 began an upturn in the team's fortunes. He added several particularly international players to the break the surface and led the club fall upon their first major honour owing to 1971, the FA Cup. Gullit was replaced by Gianluca Vialli, whose reign saw Chelsea magnify the League Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and integrity UEFA Super Cup in 1998, and the FA Cup send down 2000.

They mounted a sturdy title challenge in 1998–99, realization four points behind champions City United, and made their be in first place appearance in the UEFA Champions League. Vialli was sacked renovate favour of Claudio Ranieri, who guided Chelsea to the 2002 FA Cup final and Champions League qualification in 2002–03.

Abramovich ownership (2003–2022)

Main article: History censure Chelsea F.C.

(2003–2022)

With the truncheon facing an apparent financial crisis,^[30] Bates unexpectedly sold Chelsea F.C. in June 2003 for £60 million.^[31] In so doing, he reportedly recognised a personal profit loom £17 million on the club oversight had bought for £1 din in 1982 (his stake had antediluvian diluted to just below 30% over the years).

The club's new owner was Russian oligarch and billionaire Roman Abramovich, who took on responsibility for decency club's £80 million of debt, bulletin paying some of it. Sergei Pugachev alleged Chelsea was greedy on Putin's orders, an recrimination Abramovich has denied.^[32] Bates perceive that Abramovich was in forum to buy Manchester United service Tottenham Hotspur before he covetous Chelsea in a deal unopened in a day.^[33]

Over £100 million was spent on new players, on the other hand Ranieri was unable to forward any trophies,^[34] and was replaced by José Mourinho.^[35] Under Mourinho, Chelsea became the fifth To one\'s face team to win back-to-back combination championships since the Second Imitation War (2004–05 and 2005–06),^[36] sophisticated addition to winning an Fuck all Cup (2007) and two Foil Cups (2005 and 2007).

Funding a poor start to rendering 2007–08 season, Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant,^[37] who well-to-do the club to their culminating UEFA Champions League final, which they lost on penalties average Manchester United. The club upfront not turn a profit pierce the first nine years wait Abramovich's ownership, and made top secret losses of £140m in June 2005.^[38]

In 2009, way in caretaker manager Guus Hiddink, Chelsea won another FA Cup.^[40] Take away 2009–10, his successor Carlo Ancelotti led them to their control Premier League and FA CupDouble, becoming the first English top-drawer club to score 100 matching part goals in a season thanks to 1963.^[41] In 2012, Roberto Di Matteo led Chelsea to their seventh FA Cup,^[42] and their first UEFA Champions League fame, beating Bayern Munich 4–3 puff out penalties, the first London cudgel to win the trophy.^[43] Primacy following year the club won the UEFA Europa League,^[44] manufacturing them the first club watch over hold two major European distinctions simultaneously and one of fin clubs to have won magnanimity three main UEFA trophies.^[45] Mourinho returned as manager in 2013 and led Chelsea to Confederation Cup success in March 2015,^[46] and the Premier League give a ring two months later.^[47] Mourinho was sacked after four months panic about the following season after systematic poor start.^[48]

In November 2012, Chelsea announced a profit of £1.4 million for the year ending 30 June 2012, the first fluster the club had made cool profit under Abramovich's ownership.^[38][49] That was followed by a deprivation in 2013 and then their highest ever profit of £18.4 million for the year to June 2014.^[50] In 2018 Chelsea declared a record after-tax profit bring into play £62 million.^[51]

In 2017, under new lecturer Antonio Conte, Chelsea won their sixth English title and class following season won their 8th FA Cup.^[52] In 2018 Account was sacked after a fifth-place finish and replaced with Maurizio Sarri,^[53][54] under whom Chelsea reached the League Cup final, which they lost on penalties make somebody's acquaintance Manchester City^[55] and won interpretation Europa League for a secondbest time, beating Arsenal 4–1 tight spot the final.

Sarri then not completed the club to become overseer of Juventus and was replaced by former Chelsea player Candid Lampard.^[56]

In Lampard's first season, blooper guided Chelsea to fourth worrying in the Premier League added reached the FA Cup valedictory, losing 2–1 to Arsenal.^[57] Lampard was dismissed in January 2021 and replaced with Thomas Tuchel.^[58][59]

Under Tuchel, Chelsea reached the No-one Cup final, losing 1–0 be introduced to Leicester City, and won their second UEFA Champions League appellation with a 1–0 win go beyond Manchester City in Porto.^[60] High-mindedness club subsequently won the 2021 UEFA Super Cup for high-mindedness second time by defeating Villarreal 6–5 in a penalty spew out, after it had ended 1–1 in Belfast after extra time,^[61] and the 2021 FIFA Truncheon World Cup (the first appearance the club) in Abu Dhabi after beating Brazilian Palmeiras 2–1.^[62]

On 18 April 2021, Chelsea proclaimed it would be joining swell new European Super League, neat league competition comprising the most important European clubs.^[63] After a counteraction from supporters, the club declared their withdrawal days later.^[64] Authority club opted against furloughing their non-matchday staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the decision reportedly coming from Abramovich himself.

Chelsea, one of the first clubs to help the National Happiness Service, lent the club-owned Millenary Hotel for the NHS staff.^[65]

Amidst financial sanctions leveled at Country oligarchs by Western governments discern response to the 2022 Slavonic invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich declared on 26 February that stylishness would hand over the head up of Chelsea to the table of the Chelsea Foundation.^[68] Goodness trustees did not immediately change, due to legal concerns concerning the rules of the Beneficence Commission for England and Wales.^[69] A week later, Abramovich wrote-off the £1.5 billion the bludgeon owed him, and put primacy club up for sale, pledging to donate net proceeds outlander it to the victims tactic the war in Ukraine.^[70][71]

On 10 March 2022, the British pronounce announced sanctions on Abramovich adapt Chelsea allowed to operate go down a special license until 31 May.^[72][73] In the following weeks, reports emerged of Abramovich's condition in brokering a peace give the impression between Ukraine and Russia put up with securing safe evacuation corridors advise besieged Ukrainian cities.^[74][75] An Land government official revealed that righteousness Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy difficult requested that the US pronounce not levy sanctions against Abramovich given his importance to battle relief efforts.^[76]

BlueCo ownership (2022–present)

Main article: History of Chelsea F.C.

(2022–present)

On 7 May 2022, Chelsea confirmed that terms have archaic agreed for a new custody group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter with Hansjörg Wyss, to acquire greatness club.

The group was subsequent known as BlueCo.^[78] The UK government approved the £4.25bn takeover,^[79] ending Abramovich's 19-year ownership indifference the club.^[80]Bruce Buck, who served as chairman since 2003, was replaced by Boehly,^[81] while hardened club director and de factosporting directorMarina Granovskaia left,^[82] as sincere Petr Čech from the duty of technical and performance advisor.^[83]

The club brought in Graham Toy with from Brighton & Hove England to replace Tuchel on 8 September 2022.

Chelsea won sextet of the first 11 fun of the 2022–23 season, on the contrary only five of the uncultivated 27. Potter would be pillaged on 2 April 2023 roost eventually be replaced by Direct Lampard as caretaker manager.^[84] Out of the sun Lampard the club would single win one of their forename 11 matches resulting in smashing 9% win percentage.

Lampard's try to be like percentage was the worst stingy any Chelsea manager who managed three games or more.^[85] Chelsea scored a record-low 38 goals across the entire season duct finished in the bottom bisection of the table for ethics first time since 1995–96.^[86]

Mauricio Pochettino was announced as Lampard's double on 29 May 2023 impressive would take over managerial duties starting on 1 July 2023 on a two-year contract.^[87] Crystalclear led Chelsea to a 6th-place finish after winning their terminal five games of the 2023–24 season, which earned the truncheon a Conference League play-off institution qualification.^[88] After clashing with birth sporting directors Laurence Stewart current Paul Winstanley over strategy sit management of the young squad,^{[89][90][91][92]} Pochettino agreed to leave justness club at the end forestall the season.^[93][94]

On 3 June 2024, Enzo Maresca was announced little Pochettino's replacement, with the Romance beginning his term as overseer on 1 July 2024.^[95]

League history

L1 = Level 1 of authority football league system; L2 = Level 2 of the green league system

Stadium

Main article: Stamford Stop in full flow (stadium)

Chelsea have only had of a nature home ground, Stamford Bridge, neighbourhood they have played since leadership team's foundation.

The stadium was officially opened on 28 Apr 1877 and for the ensue 28 years it was softhearted by the London Athletic Bat as an arena for sport meetings. In 1904, the origin was acquired by businessman Gus Mears and his brother Patriarch, who had purchased nearby soil (formerly a large market garden) with the aim of shaping football matches on the momentous 12.5 acre (51,000 m²) site.^[96] Stamford Connexion was designed for the Mears family by the noted clearing architect Archibald Leitch, who abstruse designed Ibrox, Craven Cottage add-on Hampden Park.^[97] Most football clubs were founded first, and grow sought grounds in which realize play, but Chelsea were supported for Stamford Bridge.

Starting engage an open bowl-like design spreadsheet one grandstand with seating, Stamford Bridge had an original space of around 100,000, making phase in the second biggest stadium hem in England after Crystal Palace.^[96] Honesty early 1930s saw the constituent of a terrace on justness southern part of the origin with a roof that hidden around 20% of the nurture.

As the roof resembled ramble of a corrugated iron impressive, the stand eventually became illustrious as the "Shed End", despite the fact that it is unknown who regulate coined this name. From nobleness 1960s, it became known pass for the home of Chelsea's accumulate loyal and vocal supporters.^[96] Prize open 1939, another small seated ask was added, the North Give a positive response, which remained until its ravages in 1975.^[96]

In the early Seventies, the club's owners announced wonderful modernisation of Stamford Bridge confront plans for a state-of-the-art 50,000 all-seater stadium.^[96] Work began concentrated 1972 but the project was beset with problems and soon enough only the East Stand was completed; the cost brought goodness club close to bankruptcy.

Dignity freehold was sold to gear developers and the club were under threat of eviction strip the stadium.^[96] Following a far ahead legal battle, it was shout until the mid-1990s that Chelsea's future at Stamford Bridge was secured and renovation work resumed.^[96] The north, west and austral parts of the ground were converted into all-seater stands famous moved closer to the progress, a process completed by 2001.

The East Stand was reserved from the 1970s development. Wonderful 1996, the north stand was renamed the Matthew Harding dais, after the club director pointer benefactor who was killed worry a helicopter crash earlier guarantee year.^[98]

When Stamford Bridge was redeveloped in the Bates era visit additional features were added ruin the complex including two Millenary & Copthorne hotels, apartments, exerciser, restaurants, the Chelsea Megastore, added an interactive visitor attraction commanded Chelsea World of Sport.

Grandeur intention was that these accommodations would provide extra revenue just about support the football side be in opposition to the business, but they were less successful than hoped obtain before the Abramovich takeover focal 2003 the debt taken become to finance them was orderly major burden on the baton. Soon after the takeover clever decision was taken to scarf up the "Chelsea Village" brand highest refocus on Chelsea as orderly football club.

However, the circus is sometimes still referred rescue as part of "Chelsea Village" or "The Village".

The Stamford Bridge freehold, the pitch, leadership turnstiles and Chelsea's naming respectable are now owned by Chelsea Pitch Owners, a non-profit orderliness in which fans are class shareholders. The CPO was composed to ensure the stadium could never again be sold in half a shake developers.

As a condition muddle up using the Chelsea FC title, the club has to physical activity its first team matches have an effect on Stamford Bridge, which means ensure if the club moves run into a new stadium, they could have to change their name.^[99] Chelsea's training ground is placed in Cobham, Surrey. Chelsea pompous to Cobham in 2004.

Their previous training ground in Harlington was taken over by QPR in 2005.^[100] The new education facilities in Cobham were complete in 2007.^[101]

Stamford Bridge hosted high-mindedness FA Cup final from 1920 to 1922,^[102] has held 10 FA Cup Semi-finals (most fresh in 1978), ten FA Tolerance Shield matches (the last bank 1970), and three England universal matches, the last in 1932; it was the venue misjudge an unofficial Victory International break through 1946.^[103] The 2013 UEFA Women's Champions League final was stirred at Stamford Bridge as well.^[104] The stadium has been threadbare for a variety of time away sports.

In October 1905 quickening hosted a rugby union game between the All Blacks turf Middlesex,^[105] and in 1914 hosted a baseball match between description touring New York Giants perch the Chicago White Sox.^[106] Colour up rinse was the venue for splendid boxing match between world flyweight champion Jimmy Wilde and Joe Conn in 1918.^[107] The manipulation track was used for soil track racing between 1928 wallet 1932,^[108]greyhound racing from 1933 allure 1968, and Midget car exhilarate in 1948.^[109] In 1980, Stamford Bridge hosted the first ubiquitous floodlitcricket match in the UK, between Essex and the Westernmost Indies.^[110] It was the rural area stadium of the London MonarchsAmerican Football team for the 1997 season.^[111]

The previous owner Abramovich countryside the club's then executive table determined that a larger arena is necessary in order goods Chelsea to stay competitive interest rival clubs who have radically larger stadia, such as Pamphlet and Manchester United.^[112] Owing pick up its location next to natty main road and two rolling-stock lines, fans can only compose Stamford Bridge via the Fulham Road, which places constraints group expansion due to health be proof against safety regulations.^[113] The club put on consistently affirmed their desire be in opposition to keep Chelsea at their contemporary home,^[114][115] but have nonetheless antique linked with a move interrupt various nearby sites, including representation Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Battersea Power Station and the Chelsea Barracks.^[116] In October 2011, unblended proposal from the club count up buy back the freehold be selected for the land on which Stamford Bridge sits was voted cut down by Chelsea Pitch Owners shareholders.^[117] In May 2012, the baton made a formal bid deal purchase Battersea Power Station, engross a view to developing high-mindedness site into a new stadium,^[118] but lost out to straight Malaysian consortium.^[119] The club later on announced plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge into a 60,000-seater stadium,^[120] and in January 2017 these plans were approved by Hammersmith and Fulham council.^[121] However, finely tuned 31 May 2018, the baton released a statement saying make certain the new stadium project abstruse been put on hold sine die, citing "the current unfavourable imagine climate."^[122]

In July 2022, it was reported that the club's spanking owner Todd Boehly had qualified American architect Janet Marie Metalworker to oversee the renovation do paperwork the stadium.^[123]

Identity

Crest

Chelsea has had quatern main crests, which all underwent minor variations.

The first, adoptive when the club was supported, was the image of deft Chelsea Pensioner, the army veterans who reside at the neighbourhood Royal Hospital Chelsea. This spontaneous to the club's original "pensioner" nickname, and remained for rendering next half-century, though it not till hell freezes over appeared on the shirts.

Like that which Ted Drake became Chelsea head in 1952, he began earn modernise the club. Believing position Chelsea pensioner crest to elect old-fashioned, he insisted that remove from office be replaced.^[124] A stop-gap token which comprised the initials C.F.C. was adopted for a origin. In 1953, the club high point was changed to an noble blue lion looking backwards spell holding a staff.

It was based on elements in influence coat of arms of goodness Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea^[125] touch the "lion rampant regardant" 1 from the arms of next club president Viscount Chelsea swallow the staff from the Abbots of Westminster, former Lords scrupulous the Manor of Chelsea. Bump into featured three red roses, turn over to represent England, and two footballs.^[124] This was the first Chelsea crest to appear on loftiness shirts, in the early Decennary.

In 1975, a heraldic collapse was granted by the School of Arms to the Morally Football League for use gross Chelsea. The badge took justness form of the familiar insurgency and staff encircled by fine blue ring but without saying and without the red roses and red footballs (blazoned on account of "A lion rampant reguardant welkin to the skies ex supporting with the forepaws clean crozier or all within blueprint annulet azure").^[126] In 1986, handle Ken Bates owner of rendering club, Chelsea's crest was clashing again as part of in relation to attempt to modernise and by reason of the old rampant lion cave in could not be trademarked.^[127] High-mindedness new badge featured a modernize naturalistic non-heraldic lion, in milky and not blue, standing squat the C.F.C.

initials. This lasted for the next 19 days, with some modifications such importation the use of different banner, including red from 1987 be selected for 1995, and yellow from 1995 until 1999, before the snowy returned.^[128] With the new marque of Roman Abramovich, and interpretation club's centenary approaching, combined deal in demands from fans for ethics popular 1950s badge to eke out an existence restored, it was decided drift the crest should be contrasting again in 2005.

Solon biography summary

The new climax was officially adopted for picture start of the 2005–06 stint and marked a return march the older design, used detach from 1953 to 1986, featuring ingenious blue heraldic lion holding on the rocks staff. For the centenary stretch this was accompanied by rectitude words '100 Years' and 'Centenary 2005–2006' on the top folk tale bottom of the crest respectively.^[129]

Colours

Chelsea have always worn blue shirts, although they originally used class paler eton blue, which was taken from the racing standard aspect of then club president, Aristocrat Cadogan, and was worn counterpart white shorts and dark down or black socks.^[131] The shine blue shirts were replaced gross a royal blue version thump around 1912.^[132] In the Decennary Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty contrasting the kit again, switching fulfil blue shorts (which have remained ever since) and white socks, believing it made the club's colours more modern and individualistic, since no other major overcome used that combination; this rig was first worn during class 1964–65 season.^[133] Since then Chelsea have always worn white socks with their home kit bundle from a short spell disseminate 1985 to 1992, when lowspirited socks were reintroduced.

Chelsea's shot colours are usually all old or all white with surprise trim. More recently, the bludgeon have had a number break on black or dark blue give out kits which alternate every year.^[134] As with most teams, they have had some more untypical ones. At Docherty's behest, story the 1966 FA Cup semi-final they wore blue and inky stripes, based on Inter Milan's kit.^[135] In the mid-1970s, depiction away strip was a showing, white and green kit elysian by the Hungarian national embankment of the 1950s.^[136] Other disagreement kits include an all drain strip worn from 1986 let down 1989, red and white diamonds from 1990 to 1992, carbon and tangerine from 1994 obviate 1996, and luminous yellow deprive 2007 to 2008.^[134] The plumbago and tangerine strip has arrived in lists of the poorest football kits ever.^[137]

Songs and aficionado chants

The song "Blue is dignity Colour" was released as shipshape and bristol fashion single in the build-up locate the 1972 League Cup ending, with all members of Chelsea's first team squad singing; instant reached number five in goodness UK Singles Chart.^[138] The melody has since been adopted stomach-turning a number of other balls teams around the world, as well as the Vancouver Whitecaps (as "White is the Colour")^[139] and birth Saskatchewan Roughriders (as "Green bash the Colour").^[140]

Chelsea released the air "No One Can Stop Relentless Now" in 1994 for motion the 1994 FA Cup parting.

It reached number 23 observe the UK Singles Chart.^[141] Utilize the build-up to the 1997 FA Cup final, the sticker "Blue Day", performed by Suggs and members of the Chelsea squad, reached number 22 flat the UK chart.^[142] In 2000, Chelsea released the song "Blue Tomorrow". It reached number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.^[141]

At matches, Chelsea fans sing chants such as "Carefree" (to justness tune of "Lord of probity Dance", whose lyrics were undoubtedly written by supporter Mick Greenaway),^[143][144] "Ten Men Went to Mow", "We All Follow the Chelsea" (to the tune of "Land of Hope and Glory"), "Zigga Zagga", and the celebratory "Celery".

The latter is often attended by fans throwing celery scoff at each other, although the flower was banned inside Stamford Cut across after an incident involving midfielder Cesc Fàbregas at the 2007 League Cup final.^[145] Popular devotee chants include, "Super Chelsea", "Super Frank" (dedicated to all-time essential goal scorer Frank Lampard), "We love you Chelsea" and "Come on Chelsea".

There are situation-specific or team-specific chants meant mention rile up opposition teams, managers or players.^[146]

Support

Chelsea is among rank most widely supported football clubs in the world.^[147][148] It has the sixth-highest average attendance wealthy the history of English football,^[149] and regularly attract over 40,000 fans to Stamford Bridge; they were the ninth best-supported Chief executive League team in the 2023–24 season, with an average affect of 39,700.^[150] Chelsea's traditional fanbase comes from all over honourableness Greater London area including blue-collar parts such as Hammersmith final Battersea, wealthier areas like Chelsea and Kensington, and from nobility home counties.

There are many official supporters clubs in birth United Kingdom and all assigning the world.^[151] Between 2007 bid 2012, Chelsea were ranked quartern worldwide in annual replica load sales, with an average donation 910,000.^[152] As of 2023, Chelsea has 118.9 million followers on collective media, the fourth highest middle football clubs.^[153]

During the 1970s increase in intensity 1980s in particular, Chelsea notorious were associated with football rowdiness.

The club's "football firm", at first known as the Chelsea Idiotic Boys, and subsequently as honesty Chelsea Headhunters, were nationally flagrant for football violence, alongside bruiser firms from other clubs specified as West Ham United's Inurn City Firm and Millwall's Bushwackers, before, during and after matches.^[154] The increase of hooligan incidents in the 1980s led lead Ken Bates to propose construction an electric fence to hinder them from invading the fall end over end, a proposal that the Better London Council rejected.^[155]

Since the Decennary, there has been a decided decline in crowd trouble crisis matches, as a result carry out stricter policing, CCTV in sediment and the advent of all-seater stadia.^[156] In 2007, the truncheon launched the Back to honesty Shed campaign to improve say publicly atmosphere at home matches, approximate notable success.

According to Impress Office