alantheembalmer

I went to both legs against FC Bruge. The one in Belgium was somewhat "tense", if you know what I mean. The second match at SB was a truly memorable game, with Ossie doing the business once again, just like Fansince65 says.

Tony Hateley, I know what you mean. When he scored that goal he ran to the left hand side of the goal and stood right in front of me. The look on his face said everything that ever needs to be said about that great victory. When I watch the replay a shudder runs down my spine, even after all these years!

I saw Osgood play on many, many occasions, and some of the goals he scored I can still recall today. I was in the Stretford Road End when he scored that unforgettable goal in the FA Cup Final, and if I close my eyes I can see it all as if it was only yesterday. Arguably the greatest moment in Chelsea's history. He even gave me a lift once when I was hitching along the A3! He took me all the way to London, and we had a great chat about his life. What amazed me was his modesty, when I would have been bragging to the high heavens if I was in his position! A real gent; something a lot of players from all teams today should try and emulate.

At last: the words from his own mouth http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/virals/121204/video-rafael-benitez-mocks-chelsea-again-new-spanish-interview-186793#5CR84Z8jRRYzyJOE.03 Alan

Apologies if this has already been posted, but it is a bit of a laugh, (which we all need at the moment!!): http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/virals/121204/video-rafael-benitez-mocks-chelsea-again-new-spanish-interview-186793#5CR84Z8jRRYzyJOE.03 Alan

There was a time when the players of Chelsea had respect for themselves and for each other, and this was why nobody took liberties with us. Can you imagine the Swansea ballboy doing this with Ron Harris walking towards him? Alan

He did manage to score a "goal" that never went into the net, so I suppose we can at least remember him for that.

There was something bordering on the anarchic in the game in the 60's and 70's, and that added to the whole experience. You knew when games were being played, and you could call your mates as late as 2.30pm to go to the Bridge and watch a great game of football. When I first went there were no substitutes, so the players stayed on the pitch unless they were carried off unconscious. This lead to a more "robust" manner of play, that was a joy to watch. We stood at every game, sometimes crushed together, and always with a high degree of expectancy. The man standing next to you, (99.999% of the crowd were male in those days), was, for 90 minutes, your brother and comrade in arms. We watched in all weathers and went to every away game we could. I had a Saturday job as I was still at school in the 60's, and I could still afford to go to all the games, pay for my transport, and still have a sneaky beer or two!! I will always remember our epic FA Cup win in 1970. I was priviledged to go to both matches, and I recall getting 10 Chelsea into Wembley with 2 tickets. 8 of us made a "contribution" to the turn-stile operator, but then we had to show our stubs to get into the main part of the ground, and the old bill were in atttendance to make sure there wasn't any trouble. I showed my ticket and went in with my mate and approached some hardened Shed enders and told them our situation. Without a thought they all got their own ticket stubs out and gave them to me to get everyone else in. I returned the stubs with thanks, and the response was unanimous: " we are all Chelsea, and we all help each other". Football is not the same game I grew up with, but I will always be Chelsea.

We played as a team with attractive and successful football, and it was all down to Dave. In the 60's he was the one that gave me my belief in CFC; something that I still have today. RIP Dave.

My Lord. He should be apologising to us for the way he handled THAT game.

Here's a thought: we get to the FA Cup Final, and the FA think, "we've got just the man to officiate at this one!". Makes your hair stand on end, doesn't it?

Chelsea: Champions of Europe. Chelsea: FA Cup winners. Spurs: Do not qualify for the Champions League Manchester City: Premier League Champions, ousting Man United If anyone tries to tell you that we had all the luck, just tell them to sod off. The laws of physics were not suspended when we beat Napoli, Benfica, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. We had the right tactics to deal with these teams, the right attitude and the right team. It's Monday morning, the sun is shining and life is truly perfect!!!

Ryan Air's true logo: http://www.ihateryanair.org/tag/passengers/page/5/ Alan

Number one has got to be winning the FA Cup in 1970. I was up the Stretford End, and I can still remember Charlie Cooke getting the ball, looking up, and sending the perfect chip to Osgood. What a moment. It was our first FA Cup win, which was something special in itself. Also the joy at seeing Ron "Chopper" Harris "neutralising" Eddie Grey, particularly after he had given us the run around at Wembley. The two legs against Bruges FC were a bit special, particularly the second game at The Bridge. The first leg in Belgium was a bit naughty on the terraces, to say the least! Hitching a lift on the M3, only to be picked up by Peter Osgood. I nearly fell over when I opened the passenger's door, and he asked me where I was going. He was a real gent. Alan

In about 1976 I was trying to hitch a lift on the A3 just outside Southampton, when a 3 litre capri stopped for me with the interesting number plate of PO 9. When I opened the passenger's door, I looked into the face of Peter Osgood. He very kindly gave me a lift nearly all the way to South West London, and he was a great bloke to talk to. Unfortunately, the drive was over much too quickly for my liking. Peter Osgood was a great hero of the fans, but he was certainly an unsung hero as far as chauferring goes.

When I read the topic title, I thought it meant the ground, and not the inhabitants. Anyway, probably the scariest moment I had at any ground, (and I do mean ground), was when Chelsea played Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It was the first time that Palace had been promoted to Division 1, and it was about 1967/68. When we got there the place was packed. There was a crowd of about 52,000, which I believe remained a record, and we had to take turns breathing in and out. I had my hands in my pockets going in, and the next time I was able to take them out was 3 hours later when I got back onto the street. The actual moment of terror was after the final whistle when we were leaving the ground. There was a tunnel under the stand which narrowed the further in to it you went. At about half way down, the crush was so great that I and a lot of other people thought we were going to be the headlines in the Sunday papers. Fortunately, we got spat out of the tube just in time, and the relief from taking that first breath is something that I can still recall today. And do you know something? I still preferred standing at matches than sitting down.