Ewell CFC

That is Pukka. For some weird reason I’ve got Danny Cipriani’s old school cricket jumper. Fits like a glove. He went to Whitgift School and could have turned pro at cricket or rugby.

Personally I’m withholding any judgement of Frank till Xmas. Everyone’s happy with the integration of youth, coupled with fans goodwill in the bank because he’s our greatest player ever, just starting out down the perilous managerial route... The downside is the this thread is becoming a trifle boring. ( Much more fun when posters slag off the current gaffer and consequent squabbling.)

I think it was against Hereford in 76. The Shed were singing “ Chelsea are back” My kids ears in the benches thought it was “ Chelsea hard pack” Edit: around the same time at school we used to sing to the tune of the Van De Valke theme “ We are the A, G, A G R, A G R O, we are the Chelsea Agro Boys....” Edit ii) Anyone Remember Queen’s “ We are the Champions” being sung in the Shed?

Great photo. The kid at the back left with the crop looks like a proto skinhead 30 years early

I remember the family section of the North Terrace late 70s- next to the bottom corner of the East Stand, what in 82 became Gate 13.

It went off outside the Pelican that night. Remember it also happening in the North Stand during the first half - at the time the consensus was it was West Ham in there but not 100% on that. I don’t remember any Millwall in the seats or the Shed. Ps Great pic of Speedie there. He had a tremendous leap on him. The only other player I’ve seen with a spring like that was Gary Speed RIP

Quite right. In terms of VAR affecting the flow of cricket and football; in cricket the ball is in play for a comparatively short time- it’s snails pace compared with football, where the action is more or less continuous. Unless the VAR process can be speeded up or used less regularly, it’s a case of do we want pitch perfect udjudication and regularly stoppages, or a game that continues uninterrupted with the likely hood of the occasional refereeing blunder. ( Where everyone moans like f**k when the decision goes against them) Id prefer a flowing game meself, but each to their own.

Ha. They’re a nice family. Five year difference between PB and his brother C- remember when C used to be an Everton fan before he saw the light. PB’s definately done his bit over the years- believe he took a back seat for a bit to watch his boy play. There used to be quite a few printers at Chelsea. AR who was part of the Mitcham firm, BS from Norwood whose now a millionaire etc ( Still goes with his kids)

TV and newspaper coverage of football is based around alleged “ talking points” and any minor controversy as opposed to the game of football itself. I kind of hoped that technology would eliminate the purile “ was it an offside/ penalty” post match debates ( eradication of human error from officials), but now the headlines are still not about the beautiful game but “ VAR Storm” FFS. Gets right on me tits to be honest.

Different bloke mate. Three brothers, PB, SB, CB. ( PB’s quite well known in CFC twitter circles I’m told) SB and CB were in print. Think like a lot of others they got out when it went digital

A brother of a mate of mine was an apprentice printer ( when the print game was the best trade going) who used to work for the company that printed Chelsea and Wimbledon programmes in this era. For some reason can’t remember him ever giving away programmes that he’d chored from work ( his brother was/ is a Chelsea fan), so maybe he was squeaky clean. At the time the Print College was at Elephant and Castle. His evening class coincided with Millwall v Chelsea in the League Cup 84-85. Remember him saying Is was murder round the Elephant that night.

Good article. What a fantastic name for a Chelsea director- Colonel C D Crisp; made me laugh that much I thought I’d google the fella. Turns out he was Mayor of Lewes in Sussex and went on to be a director of Arsenal

Not a lot of bomb damage by the look of it- the streets look pretty much in tact. I know the old Chelsea and Fulham Railway Station ( bottom right ish) took a hit and never reopened again. Millwall, West Ham and Arsenal all got bombed to some degree.

Decent read. Very sporting bunch those Corinthians. There were several incidents of the opposition being awarded penalties, and the captain instructing his keeper to stand outside the goalposts and make no attempt to save. ( if a goal was likely from the original infringement) Cant imagine Jose or Fergie being delighted if that was their captain.

South London May 82- loads of wedge haircuts. My mate George on the far right wearing standard uniform of Adidas raincoat, Farahs and Stan Smiths. Those raincoats were nearly always that colour. Picked up a white one in Brighton back then.

At secondary school September 79 there were a good few wearing black Farahs, College or Kingsway shoes with the metal bar across the instep, black Slazenger jumpers- one kid had a Pringle. Summer 82 went to Greg Edwards at the Lyceum for the first time- the word casual hadn’t been invented, but it was a sea of diamond Pringles- black and white lads. That was fashion central with loads of football lads. I never saw it kick off there but it was very tribal. Didn’t help when Greg Edwards used to go “let’s hear you North London, East London, West London, South London” so you worked out who was who- The biggest cheer was always South London. Good points about the mid 80s transition. Camper shoes, Pods, Chevignon- had a wicked white, green and black Chipie jumper in 87 which was a ton back then. Ps Any old Soul Boys out there next Saturday it’s Soul Affair at the Burlington Arms Mayfair- 3PM- 10PM- pay at the door. All the old crowd ( you’ve seen younger Cliff Richard audiences) All that’s missing is an XR3 parked outside with Wayne and Tracey written across the windscreen and a JFM sticker.

There’s a coincidence. Got talking to a fella this week who was wearing Lois Cords he got from Stuart’s online. Thinking of investing in some meself- they don’t look too much like your recreating lost youth either.

Charlie Nicholas or Graeme Rix?

Frank is entirely governed by the players at his disposal, and don’t think our starting eleven ( even when everyone is fit), will scare the opposition overly. Going over old ground here, however we’ve lost our get out of jail free card in Hazard. Any team that loses probably one of the five best attacking players in the world will notice their absence. No one knows how whether the youngsters being blooded are potentially good enough to hold down a long term spot, however we have no choice but to field them and everyone is really hoping they succeed. Be happy with 5th or 6th and a Cup Final. Edit: Most would agree RLC and Mason Mount have the best chance of becoming established.

Bit OTT if you ask me. Anyone would think he’s just scored the winning goal in the World Cup Final!

Benches ave 3 times a year 75-78. Whitewall 78-81, anywhere there was a bit more elbow room in the Shed 81-82 but not down the front. First time Gate 13 Wolves September 82. West Stand 84-97. East Upper 98-2001. Went in the middle flanks once can’t remember against who, the temporary Shed “ Sway” a few times. Since new stands MHL Upper and Lower. Never been in Shed Upper. West Stand Lower and Upper. Once in a West Stand box courtesy of a mate who won a competition on Talksport. Exited at full time pissed as a fart in the lift with pockets full of chicken drumsticks.

My favourite time as a Chelsea fan was 94- 2005 roughly. Europe away trips with your mates for the first time, winning trophy’s for the first time, still an old school support.