Timmy Elms

In terms of spines, at our peak we had PT behind the sticks, JT and maybe Carvallio next to him, Frankie Lampard in midfield, Drogba up front. What a backbone. They’re potential in the current crop, but in terms of manliness and backbone, looks like they’ve been carved from a banana in comparison

Some good points. In terms of the mechanics of rivalry; America and its sports is too large a continent for English style supporter conflicts. Is there any such thing as baseball hooligans? The current owners are probably aware of tribalism amongst “ Soccer Fans” but they don’t give a f**k. It’s all nuts and bolts, pounds shillings and pence.

Marmite player….what he is, for good or bad, is a very unique player. No one has a running action like him. At his best he got acclaim during the 2021 Euros for scoring important goals. An Enigma but not the greatest by a long shot

That Italian community there, most were only half Italian and could hardly speak a word of the mother tongue. My Mums done some research on Wardly St, Wandsworth. It was predominantly a gypsy enclave, got knocked down for slum clearance during the late 50’s. According to the 1922 census there was a smattering of Italians there, due to Rock Asphalt relocation to the area, which was a very Anglo/ Italian trade. Had a rough war and didn’t speak much, but enjoyed his Saturdays at The Bridge

Good chuckle that

BTW those epic CFC signs were turquoise rather than Royal Blue unless mistaken. Fantastic works of art.

Frazzled memory on way out….queued a couple of times…maybe for Spurs FA Cup quarter final versus Spurs in 82 which was all ticket, and I think the other may have been the 94 semi with Luton. Can’t remember the last time my memory was this bad

There were two of those massive badges, one middle tier East Stand, and another by Shed turnstiles. Had a conversation with my mate Clint who’s a bit of a pitch owners stalwart and font of Chelsea knowledge as to their whereabouts; apparently one of them got given away to a disabled Chelsea fan. Wouldn’t it be great to have that on the wall in your downstairs karzi…

Unless mistaken, if everyone’s fit they’re, he won’t get played much.

No f**ker saw this coming. 10 out 10 for subterfuge

Big handicap to sale, is his age. In theory players are at their peak perhaps 25-30, however they’re not much resale value for someone in their late twenties. That’s partly why there’s been no takers for an extremely capable Ivan Toney.

Grandad started watching Chelsea in the 1920’s, old man 40’s. Spaghetti twirlers originally from Little Italy 🇮🇹 in Clerkenwell, then Wardly St SW18. There was a murder at Wandsworth Dogs- rival gangs and bookies protection- grandad was part of the Italian mob headed by Bert Marsh, though that wasn’t his real name. Chronic gambler my grandad. Grandmother used to have to hide her house keeping money otherwise it would get spunked on the dogs. He spent time in the glasshouse during the war, for nicking a pushbike, going AWOL, and cycling from Aldershot to Wandsworth to put a bet on- which lost. Staunch Chelsea from the 20,s to the early 90’s RIP

My Grandad was there. Amazing crowds just after the war for obvious reasons. 22 dog tracks in London back then also. Wandsworth had a capacity of 20,000 which according to sources was regularly packed out, as were many others

Worked with a bloke from Leigh Park who deposited me at this place, en route to my parents who had recently moved to Chichester. Lost driving license at the time. Ten years ago or so. Saw two fights in twenty minutes in that place whilst waiting to get picked up. Rough as f**k

Doesn’t ring any bells. Used to get Chelsea badges and sew on patches etc from the sports shop on the top floor bof The Armadale Centre

Doesn’t ring any bells. Used to get Chelsea badges and sew on patches etc from the sports shop on the top floor bof The Armadale Centre

MD used to rent an arch off Chelsea going Romany mates of mine in Culvert Road Battersea for mechanical work. Just off Sheepcote Lane. If you get the train towards Victoria, on your right hand side you may notice a small plot with a couple of carivans, and a scaffold yard adjacent. They’re always a CFC flag flying. They’ve done really well for themselves and live overseas now, but return for Chelsea. Quite surreal kipping down in that place, with little sound insulation and your head extremely close to train track

I think officially the crowd was 68,000, with many left on the pavement. That Bridge News Ken Bates propaganda rag that used to get sent to members once a month, featured an article by Terry Venables, who cited that game and our support base in relation to us being “ Sleeping Giants” By f**k did that expression get banded around a lot when we were sh*t

I know that parade of shops. Not from the area but was there a few years back in that semi dodgy pub/ bar….Yup, Pubs, Sport Shops, Car Dealerships were the obvious post career options- Steve Perrymen had a sports shop in Ruislip direction. Ron Harris had a sweet shop in Ewell, which he worked in occasionally even during his playing days. Remember reading somewhere that Ossie turned up at the shop en route to training and helped himself to a few items of confectionery. Chopper” I hope you’re gonna pay for them” Can you imagine Sterling on 335 grand a week running a sweet shop on the Ewell By Pass….

Don’t go much to The Bridge anymore. Can’t think of any specific occasions but I have booed us in the past. Pay your money, you’re pretty much free to express your views. Can’t be Stepford Wives Happy Cllappy throughout a sh*t season. Sometimes think the odd boo can send a rocket up the arse of management/ owners. Re Boring football- we’ve had roughly 4 years of it. As someone of an age where going to Chelsea was a social thing; you’d have a laugh, enjoy on the spot witty songs, soak up the atmosphere- that’s largely disappeared from the match day experience, therefore the only thing to focus on is the game itself. If that is tedious, what’s the point of going, which is why myself and many others in our fold don’t go much anymore, or more likely have a few jars before or after the game round The Bridge, and watch it in a Wandsworth Pub which shows all the games. Rambling on a bit…..

Mark Hateley that day…didn’t score however every now again you see opposition players who make an impression. John Barnes played one of his first Watford games at the Bridge. Was in the Shed watching, and remember thinking he’s something special this kid.

In addition he’s got some bo**ocks on him, in a period where we are crying out for leaders

Not into hyperbole, yet think the sky is the limit with this chap. He’s got energy, composure, awareness, can score goals, create goals, rarely has a bad game. Wouldn’t swap him for any other English player in The Premiership

Tommy Doc’ wanted to out him, and got on the blower to Bill Shankly. TD” 100,000 wouldn’t buy him” Shanks “ Yeah I’m one on ‘em” Saw his son Mark Hateley when we played Pompey late 84 in the promotion season- was well impressed- like his old man good in the air- looked like Atilla The Hun when in full flow rampaging with that long hair. Went to AC Milan after that. Proper handful when on the top of his game

Not the most attractive chaps British 1970’s long distance runners. Don’t imagine too many birds had Brendan Foster posters on their bedroom walls