If I remember right wasn't that our first win of the season after a miserable start, terraces closed etc?

That was it....a real stroke of luck kick-started our season.

Was that the legendary Johnny B diving backheel?

No, he scored two volleys. Watch here:

 

http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//ITN/1984/09/08/AS080984008/?s=aston+villa+4+chelsea+2+84&st=0&pn=1

82000 atb the bridge

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSr7DNZawv05tmI7Fztb73DTdripulAvzVd8xc_QgtQVwqcFaoXpw

I dont think ive seen this pic up b4 so hereit is...looks good eh

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/PA-404786.jpg

This one of Dave makes me breath blue

http://www.worldfootball.net/teams/chelsea-fc/1968/2/

I LOVE THE ABOVE....THE GREATEST OUTFIT IN CHELSEAS HISTORY

82000 atb the bridge

just going through gate figures for 1982/83 and forgot just how low some of the games were. I was 14/15 that season and went to all home games and about 8 away including the unforgettable Bolton game. Amazing that 50-60% of crowd went away when you look at Rotherham, Barnsley, Burnley all at home under 8,000. Suppose a bit disappointed that we didn't get more at home around then, as we had good turn out at Charlton, Palace, Qpr and Fulham. Also up north as well. Remember the NEAL OUT banner in the Shed. Thank god in hiendsight he stayed!! Any older fans have opinion on why the gates went soo low that season, apart from poor football!!

Personally I think that people had just about had enough.  Too many sh*tty managers, the football was crap and the prices were high compared to other clubs.  I picked my games in those days, only did the London aways and the odd one outside London.  I'd just met my wife to be so that's my other excuse.

I think throughout Chelsea's history,we've always had a bit of a yo-yo support.

 

If you look at stats compiled on the various websites,(or from old programmes),you'll see examples of matches in years gone by,of crowds of 60,000 plus,only to be followed the week later by one of 28,000!.

 

Strange I guess but then again,perhaps just part of the unique character of this fantastic football club.

 

Having said that,during the early eighties,things did reach a new low.The club was struggling,football as a whole was struggling & just to be clear,football related aggro was killiing the game.

 

It might be worth bearing in mind that young guys who might fancy a tear up at the football,make up only a small percentage of the folks who want to go and support their team.

 

But,during that period,it was mostly lads who went to football,women & families were a rare sight.

 

All these factors did have a big effect on attendance figures I feel,although having said all that,Ken Bates made a very good point back then when he said something along the lines of... " if the football played on the pitch is rubbish,you could give it away for free & still nobody will turn up to watch it".

 

Something as true today as back then.

I think throughout Chelsea's history,we've always had a bit of a yo-yo support.

 

If you look at stats compiled on the various websites,(or from old programmes),you'll see examples of matches in years gone by,of crowds of 60,000 plus,only to be followed the week later by one of 28,000!.

 

Strange I guess but then again,perhaps just part of the unique character of this fantastic football club.

 

Having said that,during the early eighties,things did reach a new low.The club was struggling,football as a whole was struggling & just to be clear,football related aggro was killiing the game.

 

It might be worth bearing in mind that young guys who might fancy a tear up at the football,make up only a small percentage of the folks who want to go and support their team.

 

But,during that period,it was mostly lads who went to football,women & families were a rare sight.

 

All these factors did have a big effect on attendance figures I feel,although having said all that,Ken Bates made a very good point back then when he said something along the lines of... " if the football played on the pitch is rubbish,you could give it away for free & still nobody will turn up to watch it".

 

Something as true today as back then.

Spot on mate. My first live games were during the 83/84 season so I was quite lucky the football had improved no end. I think most people picked their games back then (our prices were the same as most division 1 clubs) that season we would go from 17000 at home one weekend, to 35000 the following and in comparison our away support was up there with all the major division 1 teams. I remember seeing a survey around 1986 and we had the lowest number of women and children attending home games and I'm sure we can guess why!

I also agree about the yo-yo comment and I still believe that would exist today if we started to drop down the league, most of the proper fans have been priced out and that's with all clubs. Its now a middle class sporting event.

some differences back in the day was that the crowd went for the team n a punchup if available.....The crowd back then also had folk who just loved watching the Blues..Win draw or lose......Nowadays we have fans that love to go watch their beloveds...We also have too many that go because it is some sort of class selecting scenario to say ..one is a season ticket holder in the east or west stand at chelsea football club...Its still vogue to be at this sw**ky london club.......We also attract a loada folk who felt the need to be Blue once they started on the up n up.....I dont go to many matches nowadays but when i do, i can see clearly who i would trust around me and who i wouldnt.....One thing for sure is although i miss times gone by i can say the experiences , good and bad, were fantastic....never to be repeated again....I tell my kids stuff but they dont grasp the whole ambience of the past...I dont envy the neuvo.. They are what chelsea is at the Bridge generally now.....Would i swap back to those murky lurky days. Course i would

..I dont go to many matches nowadays but when i do, i can see clearly who i would trust around me and who i wouldnt.....One thing for sure is although i miss times gone by i can say the experiences , good and bad, were fantastic....never to be repeated again....I tell my kids stuff but they dont grasp the whole ambience of the past...I dont envy the neuvo.. They are what chelsea is at the Bridge generally now.....Would i swap back to those murky lurky days. Course i would

 

Ditto. An excellent summary, Mike.

When i go to a game these days, i still make a whole day of it, pre and post match. Problem is i hav'nt the stamina i had 35 years ago!. I was fortunate to get a ticket for Amsterdam, and had a fantastic 36 hour adventure. trouble was, it took about 3 days to get over it!

Ditto. An excellent summary, Mike.

When i go to a game these days, i still make a whole day of it, pre and post match. Problem is i hav'nt the stamina i had 35 years ago!. I was fortunate to get a ticket for Amsterdam, and had a fantastic 36 hour adventure. trouble was, it took about 3 days to get over it!

Must also agree with you both. I make a full day of it still that's why I only manage about 9 games a season. Love the football but give me the atmosphere and the sh*tty ground of yesteryear its far to clean and polite now. I also made Amsterdam but had to work on the Friday my toughest day in years and that was just staying awake!

http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/match-info-chelsea-fc

 

This is my next game.

 

Beer tent, standing, food, pre/post match band.

 

£10 a ticket.

 

Mates and me all looking forward to having a laugh.

http://www.ilkestonfc.co.uk/news/match-info-chelsea-fc

 

This is my next game.

 

Beer tent, standing, food, pre/post match band.

 

£10 a ticket.

 

Mates and me all looking forward to having a laugh.

I'm off to Colwyn Bay v Chelsea U21s at 6am on friday, making a weekend of it.

 

Sums it up now that we've a 5hr car journey just to be able to watch a Chelsea team in pre season while the club report on their website non stop of how wonderful our fans are across Asia & how the players love meeting the fans ect, what about us over here who spend our hard earned wages week in week out, my kids would love the chance to meet the players but that'd never happen, also i'd love us to send the first team to somewhere like Port Vale, a ground we havent played at since the 1920s!

 

Yeah i know the money is in Asia ect blah blah blah

I'm off to Colwyn Bay v Chelsea U21s at 6am on friday, making a weekend of it.

 

Sums it up now that we've a 5hr car journey just to be able to watch a Chelsea team in pre season while the club report on their website non stop of how wonderful our fans are across Asia & how the players love meeting the fans ect, what about us over here who spend our hard earned wages week in week out, my kids would love the chance to meet the players but that'd never happen, also i'd love us to send the first team to somewhere like Port Vale, a ground we havent played at since the 1920s!

 

Yeah i know the money is in Asia ect blah blah blah

Once again spot on Carshalton, I remember a few preseasons of yesteryear like Colchester and Palace in my opinion perfect to get the players match fit because those teams will mean it and also we have a chance of going! Sadly Money is the most important fan these days and yes the hypocrite I am I'll be there first game. Enjoy Colwym bay and your weekend.

Once again spot on Carshalton, I remember a few preseasons of yesteryear like Colchester and Palace in my opinion perfect to get the players match fit because those teams will mean it and also we have a chance of going! Sadly Money is the most important fan these days and yes the hypocrite I am I'll be there first game. Enjoy Colwym bay and your weekend.

totally agree guys used to like to see the team before the season started. Especially as they were always away games. Anyone remember Blues vs yellows at Stamford Bridge before 83/84 season

Who remembers being in a rainy shed end in , i think a boring 0 0 draw England v young England...Someone must remind me of the year

totally agree guys used to like to see the team before the season started. Especially as they were always away games. Anyone remember Blues vs yellows at Stamford Bridge before 83/84 season

Blimey thats takes me back i'd forgotten about those. I went to one and it may of been around that time I'll see if i have a programme. I remember it was the first time i saw Keith Jones playing and i thought he looked half decent.

Who remembers being in a rainy shed end in , i think a boring 0 0 draw England v young England...Someone must remind me of the year

Done a google and the only date i can find was may 1966.

Remember that friendly at Barnet in 82 or 83? Stood next to Mike Fillery for some stage of that game - I think he might have been subbed at half time and came back out to watch the game. No chance of something like that happening these days.