WeAreTheBenches

Nah, it's the Huddersfield game when Kerry scored that ridiculous effort from the left goal line at the Shed end. Pic was in the next home game programme...

As our team and fans head off on another great European adventure, I though I'd post this photo in memory of my late uncle who without I may never have supported Chelsea. He's in the photo here, one of those who stayed over in Athens in 1971 seated on the Acropolis.

>.......... but if you've been to Hull and back, on a rainy Tuesday night, it sure learns you to appreciate the good times.
Hmmm. I dunno about you but I thought I was the only one who went to Hull and back on the Tuesday night.
As follows.....
We drew 0-0 with Hull on Monday 18th January in the 1982 FA Cup 3rd Round. The replay was 72 hours later on Thursday 21st January - There was a national railstrike announced for Wednesday and Thursday. On the Monday night it turned bitterly cold and a snow blanket swept the country. The snow continued to fall on the Tuesday morning. Not only this, we were banned from all away games and received no tickets. So on the Tuesday morning I went up to Hull by train. By chance I sat with Arthur Scargill on the train (who travelled 2nd class, good man).
When I got to Hull I jumped in a taxi and went to the ground. The taxi driver asked me some questions. We chatted away and I asked him to wait. The tickets were on sale (I had phoned the club in the morning). It was a bitterly cold Tuesday evening with horrible rain and as far as I know I was the only Chelsea fan there. I held out money and got one ticket without having to speak. I put it in my sock and went to another window. There I introduced myself as the President of the Ipswich branch of the Hull City's supporters' club. I got 82 tickets, paid cash and turned to go back to my taxi. The taxi driver was standing behind me. We went back to the cab. Now he started getting very personal. He said he was on to me as a Chelsea fan and that he knew I was from London and that Chelsea were banned. I maintained I was from Ipswich and that there was a team of builders from Hull working on a building site plus som Hull dockers in Felixstowe who were coming up for the Chelsea game. As I was about to get out at Hull he asked to see my train ticket to prove I had come from Ipswich. I said I had travelled via London. I got out the cab, paid the fare, gave a tip and walked into the station.
I had about 30 minute till the last train out of Hull. The last train to move anywhere for 3 days as the train strike was to go ahead. I phoned a few people from the telephone booth to tell them of my success. Cathy, Matt, Terry Last and a few more. I took a few orders and I told them what time I would be back in London. Then I saw the taxi driver with a policeman walking through the station. I hung up and ducked back out of the rear of the station. I crossed the road and hid by a burger bar in the shadows. I was panicking. I hid 60 tickets in the lining of my jacket. I thought if I get stopped I can hand over 20 and say that's all I have. As we were banned I was actually not allowed to have those tickets and I'd bought them under a false pretext. I was unsure of the legal status in British law but I didn't want to find out. If a policeman decided to take the tickets away he his going to do that.
I waited till there was a minute left for my train. I ran full pelt into the station, I already knew the platform and where the gate was. I sprinted at it holding my rail ticket out. This was the last train to roll in the UK for 3 days. The guard held the gate open and shouted "run". The train started to move. I opened the door - lots of practice from my London commute after oversleeping and nearly missing trains in the morning rush hour - and jumped in. Made it. Success! - But - The train stopped. My heart raced. Had the policeman been there and flagged the train down having seen me? Before I could move the door opened again. I prepared to hand-over 20 tickets to the police in the hope I could keep the rest. A young lass in got in and smiled. They had held the train for her. The train pulled out of Hull. I was in the clear. Chelsea mission accomplished for the lads back home. I don't know if the police were still around or what they would have done. Didn't matter at the time. With 83 tickets on me I had pulled it off. Having travelled behind enemy lines and pulled off a covert action I allowed myself a beer or two on the mainline connecting train from Doncaster. I fell asleep.
Arriving back at Kings Cross at 10 to 1 I jumped off the train and started the walk towards the gates. Then I heard a familiar sound. "He's a boy, He's a boy, He's a boy, He's a boy." It was my reception committee; Terry Last, Wayne and boys from around the home counties. I done my orders and we had a coffee in the all nighter outside the station. Someone - Fuzzy Wayne, I think said "You can't ban a Chelsea fan" - I am unsure if that was ever said before but a week later badges and tee-shirts appeared. Not that I lay claim to any credit for it but my mission epitomises the phrase even if it was not coined that night. I went back to Kent by night bus to Bromley and then a 4 mile walk. Arriving home at 4-30 in the morning in a rural Kent completely covered in snow.
Wednesday I was on the morning bus at 7 and with a couple of changes got to work in the city about 9.30. Met up with Cathy, she got her quota of tickets. These late nights and early mornings were helped by the Original Lucozade. (Thank God for that drink). After work I did 2 buses over to Fulham and then Wandsworth. Sold my tickets in the usual Chelsea hotspots, York Tavern being my last port of call. Tweeky had also got hold of a few so most of the lads in there had them. Then back to Kent via 4 buses. Home around midnight. Up at 5 and on the morning bus up town. 2 buses to Charing Cross and the tube to Victoria and then the National Express Coach Station. Met up with Cathy, Matt and other mates. Sold a few more tickets. Made sure everyone had one. We changed in Sheffield and went for a beer there. Arriving in Hull in the evening. I met Kenny Salford and a few others and done my last tickets. In the ground.
This was in spite of - a ban - a snowstorm - a trainstrike - poor team performances - 72 hour notice of a game - subzero temp - a belief by many that the game would not be played. In contrast I saw Chelsea fans leaving the ground on TV today when Man Utd scored their 3rd in the 3-3 draw. Don't they realise if they are going to support Chelsea then that's what they should be doing. SUPPORT.
What does Support mean?
1. To bear the weight of, especially from below.
2. To hold in position so as to keep from falling, sinking, or slipping.
3. To be capable of bearing; withstand:
And these fans are none of that. They do not have the right to hold a Chelsea flag or wear a Chelsea shirt. That right has to be earned. The way we earned it in days gone by. I have now decided to write my book. These last few days have convinced me. There is a story that must be told. Supporting Chelsea is a chore and a privilege. When the team need it and are suffering your support is most needed. When they bang goals in its nice for you to be able to jump around like a moron for a few minutes but you can not just take the cherries out of the cake. You have to get behind the team when they are playing bad and making mistakes. Show them love. Show them understanding and guide them to great honour. In short - Be there for them!
So what of that rainy night in Hull? We won 2-0. And we went on to reach our only cup q/f between 1972 and 1992.
I had to double check this.
> .......... but if you've been to Hull and back, on a rainy Tuesday night, it sure learns you to appreciate the good times.
Maybe I stand corrected. I thought you were referring to 1982. (When I was the only one there on the Tuesday to buy tickets - with the game being played on a Thursday).
However I see that these games were also played on Tuesday nights in Hull:
8th November 1975 drew 1-1
25th October 1988 lost 3-0
So, maybe the above posting I just wrote was uncessary after all?
Cheers for now.....
PS
Any upload of Chelsea Soton 1977 when we lost 3-0 at the Bridge coming?