I should start with a disclaimer and say I've supported Chelsea since I was 8 years old couldn't switch teams myself (I always believed my dad was a Chelsea fan and it rubbed off, but apparently it was the 94 FA Cup Final, when I felt sorry for Chelsea, that got all of us as a family supporting them) but it's an interesting thought - just why are we so loyal to Chelsea? Especially considering:

1) We all hated Benitez with a passion when he was at Liverpool, and now he's our manager. Someone we're supposed to support and get behind.

2) A lot of the players we've grown to love have left, or will be leaving shortly. I know this is just the way it is with a football club, but with key players supposedly leaving at the end of the season this really is such a huge transition period for us.

3) I cannot explain just how highly I regard John Terry, Ashley Cole etc and all they've done for us, but if I wasn't a Chelsea fan, I'd likely hate them just as everyone else does. For all their antics, we still support them 100%, simply because they play for a football club we have an attachment to? I'm not saying this is a Chelsea specific thing by the way, I mean how can United players like Rooney or Ferdinand? How can Liverpool fans like Suarez?

4) The way in which some of our managers have been treated are simply unacceptable. Mourinho, Ancelotti and Di Matteo were all needlessly sacked, I'd argue that Ranieri was treated badly too all things considered.

5) The fans. Sorry, but I've managed to convert my girlfriend who is now a big fan too, but the majority of the games we've been to have been somewhat soured by idiots around us. Many people getting on the backs of our players, the utter aggression displayed by some people who look like they can't wait to get outside and have a fight, the frankly utterly f**king disgraceful boo'ing of Sturridge, and on a couple of occasions I'd say borderline racist chants. I know all club has it's share of idiots, but it's interesting to take someone who hasn't been exposed to it before, and seeing their reaction, quite eye opening.

I know it's a very personal thing, if you're bought up with it, live near the stadium and it's your way of life then you wouldn't know any different - though I'd argue it's just as difficult further away too, I've probably only been to just over 100 games in my life, but I still feel a ridiculous attachment to the club.

My most local Premier League side (though still an hour away) has tickets available on general sale for games that cost half the price of a Chelsea ticket, and they're currently sitting pretty near the top of the table managed by one of my all time favourite players, who will no doubt get treated far better than how we treated Robbie - yet there isn't even the slightest chance I could care about them anywhere near as much as I care for Chelsea right now.

Edited November 24, 201213 yr by blizeH

It sounds like I'm having a bloody mid life crisis doesn't it?

Heresy.

I've thought about this a few times myself. I was born less than 3 miles from Stamford Bridge, got my first kit at four years old and obviously the team, management and even the Ground itself bare little resemblence to the Chelsea I grew to love.

Its the strangest and most illogical thing I do, a patch of ground in SW6 and a player you detest from a rival go's to that postcode and signs a contract and you suddenly see him in a different light?.

It isn't that cut and dried for me but its happened and I can't for the life of me understand my own hipocricy when it does.

I must sight a player that we'll likely lose soon as a prime example, Ashley (Cashley as he was to me for his first year or so here) I detested him but he grew on me because mainly of his huge talent (something clear to see before he came) Torres another thats hard to like and one I mistankenly thought might win me round in the same way.

I've done my best as I get older to stop myself detesting players, I remember saying to Chelsea mates when they slagged off Ronaldo how I'd idolise him if his shirt was Blue but again the outstanding ability would definately help.

What I will say is I have never heard any player out and out insult the team I support and if I did I wouldn't forgive it, its bad enough when they leave and say the expected good words about their next employer but at least thats because they usually have a bit of a grudge at being let go.

Its pretty odd that you could hate a team (most Chelsea fans) say QPR and if Abramovic chose to throw another wobbly and sell off our players and replace them with thier first eleven we would support them...in the Championship probably but support them we would.

It is hard to understand, its wierd how it gets in your every day life as well, I can't play a game with my kids and be a Red Car or anything, I can't stand wearing a Red T Shirt...I won't have a Red Cup in the Cupboard, and I'm gutted there's a Red in charge of the team I love.

To answer the question ‘Is it possible to switch football teams’ yes of course it’s possible and people do often chop and change.

They’re what’s called glory hunters, or to give them their latin name - unitus mancharious - but I prefer to call them f**k wits.

The f**k wit reference difference stops in the case of children where they are allowed to switch team, one that may be succesful for instance or one that their friends support.

No.

For most of us the answer is no.It really is in the blood.

I think back to some of the really low times over the years and over a quarter of a century later I'm still here.

This is just another low , love refuses to allow me to go elsewhere.

Well I have a neighbour who was a Leeds fan from been a small boy to an Arsenal fan in the 90s (funnily enough when they did the cup double under George Graham). He fell in love with London so decided to support Arsenal but the guy is a clear glory supporter. As soon as Arsenal lose he loses interest and now they don't win anything he doesn't support them unless they win. Really bugs me if you have a team stick to it.

I do see why some people wouldn't like the modern Chelsea if you liked the pre Roman Chelsea. Its the modern world of football, its all about money these days unfortunately finishing 4th is more important than winning a cup, I still love Chelsea but I have to admit to not been as in love with the Sport itself as much as I used to be.

Great post Chippy! I can definitely relate to a lot of that.

What you said about QPR is particularly interesting though... like you said, it is entirely illogical

I wouldn't say so. Some people start off as fans of other clubs at a younger age but then change whilst still very young. When you develop such a massive passion for a club and become a true supporter I'd consider it impossible to change. I couldn't support anyone else.

I can't play a game with my kids and be a Red Car or anything, I can't stand wearing a Red T Shirt...I won't have a Red Cup in the Cupboard, and I'm gutted there's a Red in charge of the team I love.

I won't even allow my kids tomato ketchup.

It is hard to understand, its wierd how it gets in your every day life as well, I can't play a game with my kids and be a Red Car or anything, I can't stand wearing a Red T Shirt...I won't have a Red Cup in the Cupboard, and I'm gutted there's a Red in charge of the team I love.

This, (great post by the way)

I even started voting Tory on the 'blue' principle !!

All the 'quirks' you mention there are just things that come automatically, and i would imagine it's the same for most fans.

I think the colour thing is taking it too far. Colours were there before football, I remember a guy I knew whose a Leeds fan wouldn't use Voda phone cause Man Utd were sponsored by it, thought it was well pathetic.

I think the colour thing is taking it too far. Colours were there before football, I remember a guy I knew whose a Leeds fan wouldn't use Voda phone cause Man Utd were sponsored by it, thought it was well pathetic.

Ok mate I'll remember those wise words as I type this on my Samsung Laptop while watching my Samsung 50 inch TV and texting my Daughter on my Samsung GalaxyS3...

As I've supported Chelsea and Rangers since the mid-60's it would be easy for me to suddenly switch my main allegiance to the Gers now that Benitez has taken over at the Bridge. Not that easy though.

I lived in Scotland in the late 70's and naturally it was easier for me to follow the Rangers, and of course I thoroughly enjoyed it. Rangers didn't have the best of teams at the time, but then again nor did Chelsea. But, when I returned to London, the emotion I felt upon going to the Bridge again was incredible, it was as though I'd been seperated from my immediate family.

So, much as I love Rangers, Chelsea will always be first - I could never even think about supporting anyone else.

However, I'll probably be following the Gers results more than Chelsea's so long as Benitez is at the Bridge.

Edited November 24, 201213 yr by BlueBeard

I could never support another team but im divorcing this one emotionality...

I don't care if Chelsea win the world cup (impossible I know) I won't watch under rafa... ill pick up the results and that's it.

I'm not being dramatic. I was all for the sacking of r Claudio, and Carlo. Though i loved Jose and still do to this day. I don't care that he made us the "enemy of football"

In fact I loved it and as chippy can tell you, we don't really see eye to eye where the club our concerned... but having rafa in charge is pretty much the same as watching your neighbour systematicly f**k your wife in 10 different positions. Your not going to shake his hand after. Infact if you left his balls intact it would be a sure sign that yours had disapeered long ago.

So this is what rafa feels like for me... i feel completely disconnected with the club that made me walk and cry in the pouring rain after loosing 4-0 to united at Wembley.. I thought that would be the absaloute low for me as a Chelsea fan, And I promise you Roman and that fat c**t benitez wouldnt have a clue about that day.

But this is lower, and I wont ever stip posting any fat c**t stuff on this bored... the guy is a cancer on out club... those who can't see it need to get there head out of there ass... find there balls place them back where they should be and join the likes of Just that will be openly letting roman know what they think of this pile of steaming sh*t tommorow.;

Don't sit on the fence, barak.

I've been a supporter since Zola came to the club in 96. I was 6 years old at the time and just getting in to Football. I'm now 22 and I can honestly stay I love Chelsea as much as I always have. We have a very promising future with some incredible players in the squad, our fan base is growing, and the thought of a new 60k stadium in the near future would be a massive boost to the clubs longevity. I loved Robbie, and I hate that he was sacked, but now Benitez is manager, I will get behind him.

I too dislike what he's said about Chelsea in the past but the fact is he had a strong rivalry with Jose, he wanted to side with his club, and the mind games that go on between two managers are more mind games than anything. Fine, he's said some distasteful and false things about the fan base and our traditions but if that's stopping you from supporting the team you love, the team that probably gave you one of the best days of your life about seven months ago, then I think you're just as fickle as the glory hunters. It's a six month appointment. His CV is good. He can win us trophies. If you REALLY hate him that much, then please give me an excuse to. Thinking he's a fat waiter/c**t/etc is a reason to dislike someone, but surely not turn your back on the club or stop watching the games. I think he handled the press conference well and after a few days of mulling over, I think he could be a good interim manager.

The only thing I'm concerned about is his documented bad man-managing skills. We all know what impact that can have.

Voicing your discontent to such major proportions like protesting against him is only going to damage the relationship between the fans and Roman. We know he's a stubborn man, what makes you think you can change him. He probably knows he hasn't been popular with the fans, but if he thinks he's someone who can bring the club forward, I think it's good in the long run. I don't think he has a massive amount of interest in the job, and this is more of a career kickstart for him, but who on a six month deal would be passionate about a club? It's not like he's going to be doing sh*t to f**k Chelsea over.

My opinion totally. I'm not trying to start a 'whos more of a fan' war with you, I'm just voicing my opinion.

@OP - One team for life. In my opinion, if you go to a clubs games, and hug the people beside you, jump with joy when they score or put your head in your hands when they concede, then the club has just popped your cherry and you should support them for life.

Edited November 25, 201213 yr by JoeyN

No, not me not I anyway.

But the very existence of a thread such as this and the emotional responses show how the majority of us are feeling at the moment. You give your life and loyalty to something and you want to feel something given back, no matter how small. But this? It's just the ultimate betrayal that swipes the rug from underneath you. How can something you've given your heart to be so cruel in return? What on earth has possessed anyone at the club to think this was a good idea? You stick with your club through thick & thin - relegation, trophies, bad results, good cup runs, bad press, great football, long balls, £4 bottles of water... But this is something else.

I feel like I belong on RAWK with this over emotional post.

Seen this club go through many crisis and no doubt will during the latter years of my life , its in the blood. Rafa being here is just another downer on what has been a very up/down/up following of the club I love. I have in the past and still do follow my local club.

you can change wives , but never your team , if you can even contemplate doing so , you probably shouldn't be supporting them in the first place . And no fat spanish waiter will come between me and the club i've loved and followed for over 30 years

I think your support of the team should be bigger than any individual member of the club whether that be a player or manager. They will come and go but the club should continue no matter what. Success or failure. This last week has been a big disappointment for me as a Chelsea fan and I'm going to find it difficult to get behind Benitez. But it is still Chelsea and I will no doubt feel the familiar nerves when game time arrives tomorrow.

I think once you're old enough to know what it means to support a team, and have sufficient passion to start that support, you can't just decide one day to support another team (certainly not in the same league).

I suppose it's possible to fall out of love of the sport in general (I wouldn't know, but I can guess it could happen), but don't think you can fall out of love with a team like Chelsea, and in love with another PL team.