Chelsea FC
December 17, 2008
Chelsea FC was founded in 1905 and played its first competitve game on 2nd September of that year. It wasn’t the best of starts – they lost 1-0 away at Stockport. From the very beginning Chelsea was set up to be a big player. Edwardian businessman Gus Mears knew what a great following football had in the north but it had yet to take off in London. At the turn of the century the capital failed to provide a single team in the Football League First Division.
Chelsea were to play at Stamford Bridge on the edge of town – this proved to be excellent location – close to a vibrant centre of town. Pre World War 1 gates of 50,000 were not unheard of but the results didn’t always go the right way.
For the first 50 years a trophy eluded the club until St George’s Day 1955 when Sillett scored from the penalty spot in front of a crowd of 75,000 to win the Championship. They have won the FA Cup four times, the League Title three times and the League Cup four times.
Chelsea have attracted some of the biggest named players in the history of football including Hughie Gallacher, Charlie Cooke, Jimmy Greaves, Peter Bonetti, John Hollins and Ray Wilkins.
Chelsea approaches its second century as one of the Big Four (Manchester Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal being the others). On July 2nd 2003 an unknown Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea and a new era in its history began. Abramovich had money to spend and a new club record of 17m was soon set for signing Damien Duff. In the same year Chelsea said goodbye to one of their most popular players of all time – Zola – who fulfilled a promise to play for team in his native Sardinia.
Arguably the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history Jose Mourinho oversaw 2004-5 as one of Chelsea’s best ever seasons. A perfect way to celebrate Chelsea’ first 100 years.
Further Chelsea Information
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