Hi, CFC community. Just a few words to introduce myself. I first got the Chelsea "bug" aged 12, back in 1970. Like most schoolboys and many s/girls, my attention was taken by the epic F.A. cup final and replay of that year. For those of you who reside in London, it may be hard to fathom the huge interest in these two games. In school classrooms around Scotland,(I'm from Perth), EVERYONE was going to watch this clash of the titans / good v evil / north v south encounter. Of course, there was much local interest in the fact that messrs McCreaddie, Cooke, Lorimer, Bremner and Gray (and Harvey), were involved. The rest is, well, legend/history. I believe that TV broadcast is STILL 3rd or 4th biggest audience on British TV of all time.

My opportunity to finally see Chelsea play didn't come until 1980. I had moved down to London to follow my fortune, and was based in the north of the capital, near the Royal Free Hospital. Of course, the standard of play was variable, but it was nice to watch a team I could consider mine. Up in Perth, St Johnstone had been my "surrogate" team. Within the year, unfortunately, I was back in Perth to follow a career which i stayed in for years, only visiting London as a tourist from then on. Which is what I am now. My wife (we honeymooned in London in 1984) and me get down 2 - 3 times a season for home games (next one is Wolves, in 8 days). You are more likely to find us at away games, in the north, (Tyne-Tees area is only 3 hours from Perth, and the NorthWest is under 4 hours). Nearly always agreat atmosphere at away games, but you can't beat our pilgrimages to the Bridge. Cheap flights to Luton, then step onto a bus direct to Victoria. Sorted. Can hardly wait for 21st. Come on the blues, and KTBFFH.

Welcome Blue Velvet! That was the name of a film noir directed by David Lynch back in the eighties. Gruesome goings-on in American suburbia!

Perth is a very beautiful town in Scotland. I spent a brief time teaching there back in the mid-eighties. I was at Perth Grammar school (which wasn't a grammar school at all, by then). Wouldn't it be strange if you were there at the time?

P.S. I should read posts more carefully. I had it in mind that you were born in 1970, but in fact you were 12 in 1970, so would have left school long before I went to Perth!

Edited November 13, 200915 yr by moi

2-3 games a season is my rate to traveling from Norway.

Good to have you on board, welcome to the Shed End mate

Welcome mate. I remember going to watch St Johnstone one freezing cold night. For the life of me I can't remember who they were playing or what the score was though.

I also remember playing that golf course on the island in the river Tay?. I think it was called the King James VI course.

My wife (we honeymooned in London in 1984) and me get down 2 - 3 times a season for home games (next one is Wolves, in 8 days). You are more likely to find us at away games, in the north, (Tyne-Tees area is only 3 hours from Perth, and the NorthWest is under 4 hours). Nearly always agreat atmosphere at away games, but you can't beat our pilgrimages to the Bridge. Cheap flights to Luton, then step onto a bus direct to Victoria. Sorted. Can hardly wait for 21st. Come on the blues, and KTBFFH.

Your timing couldn't be better mate

http://www.theshedend.com/index.php?showtopic=13021

The more the merrier.

Welcome BV, that final would be my main Chelsea memory from that era as well.

All the better because my brother was a dirty Leeds fan.

Only been in Perth the once, on a very drunken Golf trip many years ago so my

memories of the place are a bit scant but I believe I had a good time.

Hopefully you can meet up with some of us next week.

Nice one mate, glad to have you on board!