On 16 May 1989 the Chelsea team of the 88-89 season played the team from 83-84 for Eddie Niedzwiecki's testimonial. Details of the game - courtesy of the Bounder Friardale website - are below. I was at the game and thought the crowd was bigger than 4,892 but my mind could be playing tricks. There were a few guest appearances including Graeme Souness.

http://www.bounder.friardale.co.uk/Friendly/1981-90.htm

I can't be sure but I think Roberts left Rangers under a cloud after falling out with Souness. During Eddie's testimonial I remember thinking that a clash between Roberts and Souness could be tasty.

Whilst at Rangers, Roberts had to goal in goal after Chris Woods was sent-off for having a set-to with Frank McAvennie. After Richard Gough scored a late minute equaliser Roberts conducted the Copland End of Ibrox in singing a well known Rangers song.

Score

2 hours ago, Boyne said:

On 16 May 1989 the Chelsea team of the 88-89 season played the team from 83-84 for Eddie Niedzwiecki's testimonial. Details of the game - courtesy of the Bounder Friardale website - are below. I was at the game and thought the crowd was bigger than 4,892 but my mind could be playing tricks. There were a few guest appearances including Graeme Souness.

http://www.bounder.friardale.co.uk/Friendly/1981-90.htm

I can't be sure but I think Roberts left Rangers under a cloud after falling out with Souness. During Eddie's testimonial I remember thinking that a clash between Roberts and Souness could be tasty.

Whilst at Rangers, Roberts had to goal in goal after Chris Woods was sent-off for having a set-to with Frank McAvennie. After Richard Gough scored a late minute equaliser Roberts conducted the Copland End of Ibrox in singing a well known Rangers song.

Score

Roberts certainly left Rangers 'under a cloud' to say the least, after falling out with Graeme Souness.

After the last home game of 1987/88 v Aberdeen. Rangers lost a late goal to lose 1-0 to Aberdeen.

In the dressing room afterwards. Graeme Souness blamed for the goal. Roberts refused to accept it was his fault.

This led to a 'heated argument' in which Roberts told Souness if he thought he was that bad to "sell me".

The reply from Souness was: " Consider yourself sold !"

Roberts was dropped for the last game away, to I think either Falkirk or Hearts.

When Pre Season Training restarted in July 88 . Souness told Roberts to move to the reserve dressing room.

He was then sent on a Reserve team tour of the Scottish Highlands,but was a sub for every game.

He was then sold to us for I think £400,000 in August 88.

So any tackles between Roberts and Souness in that game for Eddie in May 89 would have been 'tasty'

Just checked. Graham Roberts signed for us for £475,000 on 6th Aug 1988.

He was an ever present in the Division 2 Title Winning side with 46 League appearances, scoring 15 League Goals.

Not bad at all for a centre back.

 

@erskblue Thanks for confirming that Roberts left Rangers under a cloud and about falling out with Souness,

4 minutes ago, Boyne said:

@erskblue Thanks for confirming that Roberts left Rangers under a cloud and about falling out with Souness,

Yeah no problem .

I think that this picture has been posted before but what a fine view of a great place.

Boyne:Great picture of The Bridge mate.

11 hours ago, erskblue said:

I was just wondering if anyone thought me doing 1988/89 was perhaps worth it ?

Absolutely mate, as we all agree not as good as 83/84 but to be fair I was 19/20 during 88/89 and that was memorable, am I really 50 in less than three weeks!!!

8 hours ago, chi blue said:

Absolutely mate, as we all agree not as good as 83/84 but to be fair I was 19/20 during 88/89 and that was memorable, am I really 50 in less than three weeks!!!

Okay cheers.

Yeah I know the feeling about 'where have all those years gone !'

I was 16/17 during that season

Happy Birthday in advance

Edited April 7, 20197 yr by erskblue

14 hours ago, Boyne said:

I think that this picture has been posted before but what a fine view of a great place.

The tallest building in West London. Everyone thinks posh Chelsea, even though we’re in Fulham, but always liked having industrial/ rough bits on our doorstep. Lots Rd Power Station, the Gasworks, Battersea tower blocks all on show here.

Edit: Remember reading somewhere about a Newcastle fans recollection of coming down on coaches during the 80s, and getting parked up in Sands End, which they all thought was a right slum.

Edited April 7, 20197 yr by Ewell CFC

2 hours ago, Ewell CFC said:

The tallest building in West London. Everyone thinks posh Chelsea, even though we’re in Fulham, but always liked having industrial/ rough bits on our doorstep. Lots Rd Power Station, the Gasworks, Battersea tower blocks all on show here.

Edit: Remember reading somewhere about a Newcastle fans recollection of coming down on coaches during the 80s, and getting parked up in Sands End, which they all thought was a right slum.

Remember seeing something on a wolves forum a few years ago as they were talking about away fans to visit molineaux over the years, Chelsea came up all the time regarding our legendary away following, a younger poster on their asked why our support wasn't like Fulham, others on the forum said our fanbase was mainly working class and came from  some of the rougher parts of West London, I saw something similar on a Sunderland forum once as well. By the way I don't stalk other clubs forums, they were just links that came up, when looking for all things Chelsea!!

On 06/04/2019 at 19:23, erskblue said:

Roberts certainly left Rangers 'under a cloud' to say the least, after falling out with Graeme Souness.

After the last home game of 1987/88 v Aberdeen. Rangers lost a late goal to lose 1-0 to Aberdeen.

In the dressing room afterwards. Graeme Souness blamed for the goal. Roberts refused to accept it was his fault.

This led to a 'heated argument' in which Roberts told Souness if he thought he was that bad to "sell me".

The reply from Souness was: " Consider yourself sold !"

Roberts was dropped for the last game away, to I think either Falkirk or Hearts.

When Pre Season Training restarted in July 88 . Souness told Roberts to move to the reserve dressing room.

He was then sent on a Reserve team tour of the Scottish Highlands,but was a sub for every game.

He was then sold to us for I think £400,000 in August 88.

So any tackles between Roberts and Souness in that game for Eddie in May 89 would have been 'tasty'

There was a loose ball in front of the west stand and Roberts and souness were the nearest players, neither pulled out and there was a big cheer! I agree with @Boyne that the crowd was better than stated, maybe we tried to save Eddie a few quid from the tax man!

8 hours ago, Richard P said:

There was a loose ball in front of the west stand and Roberts and souness were the nearest players, neither pulled out and there was a big cheer! I agree with @Boyne that the crowd was better than stated, maybe we tried to save Eddie a few quid from the tax man!

Richard: Agreed that quite often back then crowds given , weren't what the actual number attending were.

16 hours ago, Richard P said:

There was a loose ball in front of the west stand and Roberts and souness were the nearest players, neither pulled out and there was a big cheer! I agree with @Boyne that the crowd was better than stated, maybe we tried to save Eddie a few quid from the tax man!

 

7 hours ago, erskblue said:

Richard: Agreed that quite often back then crowds given , weren't what the actual number attending were.

Have found this picture of the programme for Eddie's testimonial. I think I have a copy but will need to check through my programme collection.

Talk of testimonials has got me thinking about the last testimonial we had for one of our players. I've found this programme for a game for Steve Clarke. Any others since then?

Only won two caps for Wales. How many more would he have won if Neville Southall wasn't first choice?

17 hours ago, Boyne said:

Only won two caps for Wales. How many more would he have won if Neville Southall wasn't first choice?

To be fair, Southall was an amazing keeper for Everton at this time.

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2019/04/05/big-sam-s-bridge-own-goal?cardIndex=0-5

I've posted the whole article in it's own thread.

Good read and some very good pics.

3 hours ago, erskblue said:

To be fair, Southall was an amazing keeper for Everton at this time.

Very true. Southall was one of the best British goalkeepers of recent years.

Back at the Bridge again. Some fine players. 

Johnny B’s hair or lack of!

Who is that next to Wee Pat - can't place him?

5 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Who is that next to Wee Pat - can't place him?

Joe Mclaughlin I think.

6 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Who is that next to Wee Pat - can't place him?

 

Just now, bluehaze said:

Joe Mclaughlin I think.

Yes, it's Joe. Took a while for me to recognise him. He and Patesy was a great centre back partnership.

9 hours ago, Boyne said:

 

Yes, it's Joe. Took a while for me to recognise him. He and Patesy was a great centre back partnership.

Agreed mate.