Mine was home v Man Utd in 70 or 71. It was a Weds night, we lost 3-2, and George Best was sent off!.

"Have you ever seen Chelsea Win The League" was a famous chant from away supporters in days gone by, as they sort to belittle Chelsea supporters, I often got strange looks as I would shout back "Yes I Have!" all because of a life changing Birthday present. 

 

Most Birthday presents are quite forgettable, every now and then one comes along that you remember for years, few if any are life changing. I was lucky enough to have one of the latter. I remember my Dad saying we're going to Chelsea for your Birthday present. But living at that time in Britannia Road, I  felt quite under whelmed, cheated even, I was looking forward to something I could play with, I was after all 5 years old.

So on the 10th of November 1951; my Old Man and me walked down

Britannia Road

, and across the

Fulham Road

, and walked up to the main entrance opposite the "Rising Sun" pub.  I can remember slowly walking up walking up the huge stairs outside the Shed, and thinking "I wish I was at home playing with a normal present. Then on reaching top, I remember looking out across the huge amphitheatre in ore , I'd never seen anything like it, even the 1951 Festival of Britain on the South Bank a few months earlier, didn't have the effect that that moment had on me; it seemed so huge for a 5 year old. Funny thing is that’s all I can remember of my first game, apart from the fact I took to the team in Blue straight away. and we won Four to Two. against Manchester United.

The thing is that in those days Stamford Bridge was like Highbury and the Emirates are today, a f**king Library; it was silent, until a goal was scored, then everyone started clapping. It wasn’t until a few years latter that Ted Blake wrote in the program that the fans must make more noise. It worked for after 1955 Stamford Bridge came alive with noise.

My most memorable game was as a child was when I was Eight; Sheffield Wednesday at the Bridge in April 1955. I was standing near the corner flag, where the West Stand meets the Shed. (in those days it was the West Terrace.) We won 3-0, and at the final whistle a few people started to leap the small wall and ran onto the pitch. Thinking we had won the league I took one look at my old man, who was soaking up  the atmosphere, and climbed over the wall and followed the crowd. The next thing I heard was “Come Here”, I looked round and saw the 6 foot 3 inch “Giant running after me, and took to my heels. Pushing my way through the crowd I got to the front, and saw the old wooden East Stand, just as the crowd fell into a deadly silence. An old man (who I now know was Old Man Mears) was standing with his hands up signalling for silence. Then after a short wait, that seemed like hours at the time. He said something on a big old-fashioned microphone, I never heard what because everyone went berserk jumping up and down, and shouting there heads off. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked around, it was my dad, who now had a beaming smile on his face, “Manchester United have lost,” he said, then he shouted at the top of his voice…”We’ve Won The League!”

 

I retold this story on the Chelsea Chat site back in the 1990's and no one believed it, but then someone (I can't remember who), posted a film clip from Pathe Newsreel, and said "There's a small boy running across the pitch, in the same place you said you ran, have a look" And to my amazement there I was! Then in the Match Day program for the Fulham game in 2005, there was a full page photo, from that day. And to my surprise there I was right in the front.

I'm now in my 65th Season at Chelsea and it's taken me from Stanford Bridge to most Cities in England, and all the Cities that we've played in, across Europe. Chelsea became an obsession, they were my Tribe, and I still drink with friends I made back in 1966 at the League Cup final at Leicester City. I even got to know the team back then as we played AC Milan in 1965, I went to the re-play, and as there were only around 40 supporters flying to Italy for it, we flew on the same plane as the team, and stayed in the same hotel. Sometime that never happens today. We won 2-1 at home, and on aggregate that meant a draw, hence the play-off. We drew 1-1, and had to sit on razor blades as they tossed a coin to see who went through. That was nerve racking, but we won the toss, and went through.  I always thought that was an unfair way to decide a game, and found out just how unfair when 3 years latter we drew with DWS Amsterdam at home; and lost the toss, and went out. But we made up for that in 1971, for after winning the FA Cup for the first time in our history (only the second Cup we'd ever won) we went to Athens and won the European Cup Winners Cup, and I was there for both games; but that's another story.

What a great story and incredible memories! Wow - you´re a lucky sod.

More stories? Yes, please.

What a brilliant post

That's a magnificent story! Thanks for recounting it.

Just now, Jezz said:

That's a magnificent story! Thanks for recounting it.

Totally agree. This story  below, to me is part of our great club's history. Thank you very much for posting it..

Just now, Garrison said:

"Have you ever seen Chelsea Win The League" was a famous chant from away supporters in days gone by, as they sort to belittle Chelsea supporters, I often got strange looks as I would shout back "Yes I Have!" all because of a life changing Birthday present. 

 

Most Birthday presents are quite forgettable, every now and then one comes along that you remember for years, few if any are life changing. I was lucky enough to have one of the latter. I remember my Dad saying we're going to Chelsea for your Birthday present. But living at that time in Britannia Road, I  felt quite under whelmed, cheated even, I was looking forward to something I could play with, I was after all 5 years old.

So on the 10th of November 1951; my Old Man and me walked down

Britannia Road

, and across the

Fulham Road

, and walked up to the main entrance opposite the "Rising Sun" pub.  I can remember slowly walking up walking up the huge stairs outside the Shed, and thinking "I wish I was at home playing with a normal present. Then on reaching top, I remember looking out across the huge amphitheatre in ore , I'd never seen anything like it, even the 1951 Festival of Britain on the South Bank a few months earlier, didn't have the effect that that moment had on me; it seemed so huge for a 5 year old. Funny thing is that’s all I can remember of my first game, apart from the fact I took to the team in Blue straight away. and we won Four to Two. against Manchester United.

The thing is that in those days Stamford Bridge was like Highbury and the Emirates are today, a f**king Library; it was silent, until a goal was scored, then everyone started clapping. It wasn’t until a few years latter that Ted Blake wrote in the program that the fans must make more noise. It worked for after 1955 Stamford Bridge came alive with noise.

My most memorable game was as a child was when I was Eight; Sheffield Wednesday at the Bridge in April 1955. I was standing near the corner flag, where the West Stand meets the Shed. (in those days it was the West Terrace.) We won 3-0, and at the final whistle a few people started to leap the small wall and ran onto the pitch. Thinking we had won the league I took one look at my old man, who was soaking up  the atmosphere, and climbed over the wall and followed the crowd. The next thing I heard was “Come Here”, I looked round and saw the 6 foot 3 inch “Giant running after me, and took to my heels. Pushing my way through the crowd I got to the front, and saw the old wooden East Stand, just as the crowd fell into a deadly silence. An old man (who I now know was Old Man Mears) was standing with his hands up signalling for silence. Then after a short wait, that seemed like hours at the time. He said something on a big old-fashioned microphone, I never heard what because everyone went berserk jumping up and down, and shouting there heads off. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked around, it was my dad, who now had a beaming smile on his face, “Manchester United have lost,” he said, then he shouted at the top of his voice…”We’ve Won The League!”

 

 

I retold this story on the Chelsea Chat site back in the 1990's and no one believed it, but then someone (I can't remember who), posted a film clip from Pathe Newsreel, and said "There's a small boy running across the pitch, in the same place you said you ran, have a look" And to my amazement there I was! Then in the Match Day program for the Fulham game in 2005, there was a full page photo, from that day. And to my surprise there I was right in the front.

I'm now in my 65th Season at Chelsea and it's taken me from Stanford Bridge to most Cities in England, and all the Cities that we've played in, across Europe. Chelsea became an obsession, they were my Tribe, and I still drink with friends I made back in 1966 at the League Cup final at Leicester City. I even got to know the team back then as we played AC Milan in 1965, I went to the re-play, and as there were only around 40 supporters flying to Italy for it, we flew on the same plane as the team, and stayed in the same hotel. Sometime that never happens today. We won 2-1 at home, and on aggregate that meant a draw, hence the play-off. We drew 1-1, and had to sit on razor blades as they tossed a coin to see who went through. That was nerve racking, but we won the toss, and went through.  I always thought that was an unfair way to decide a game, and found out just how unfair when 3 years latter we drew with DWS Amsterdam at home; and lost the toss, and went out. But we made up for that in 1971, for after winning the FA Cup for the first time in our history (only the second Cup we'd ever won) we went to Athens and won the European Cup Winners Cup, and I was there for both games; but that's another story.

 

My First Chelsea game was v Everton September 7th 1968 , on my 9th Birthday

The score was 1-1 Peter Osgood scored a penalty, i think Joe Royle scored for Everton

 

On 19 December 2016 at 17:43, One Tommy Langley said:

My First Chelsea game was v Everton September 7th 1968 , on my 9th Birthday

The score was 1-1 Peter Osgood scored a penalty, i think Joe Royle scored for Everton

 

 

3 hours ago, Jezz said:

 

Cheers Jezz - i have 1 hour highlights of this game on CD - great memories

My first game was in 1976 against Southampton . We won 3.1 Wilkins scored 2 and super jock finneston 1 . Never forget my first time in the shed, the smell off fags and booze, the teams came out , an air horn sounded, clap clap clap clap clap Chelsea! The players approached the shed end . That was me hooked  . Great great days of a bygone era . I miss it still 

Southampton at home - 2002-03 (Boxing Day)

Was nine and went with my uncle and a friend (both season ticket holders). Being from Australia, this was quite a day for me, as well as my old man and sister. A win here would have put us temporarily top. de Goey started for the first time in about 15 months as Cudicini I think injured himself in the warmup. Thought we'd taken the lead in the first half when a shot from (possibly) Zola sent the fans around me ballistic...but my little nine-year-old heart was broken when I saw Franco standing disappointedly with his hands on his knees. The ball was cleared off the line...just. Desailly I think missed a sitter late on and the Saints could have (and probably should have) won it too. This game really opened my eyes as to how different football (soccer here) is to Australian rules. The fact that referees and players could put their arms around each other while debating a call completely threw me (as well as my dad). If that was to happen in the AFL, the player would get four weeks' suspension for contact. Hell, a player here once got one week for accidentally running backwards into an umpire.

 

The only other time I've been fortunate enough to see Chelsea play was when we came over in 2006 (also a Boxing Day match against Reading, same people attending too).

This was, as many on here will know, around the time Drogba almost single-handedly carried us through the Christmas period. Injuries meant we had Geremi at right back, Ferreira at centre half, Hilário in goal and Magnus Hedman on the bench. No disrespect to those players at all, serviceable as they were, but it's a miracle we got through that whole period without losing (although by the end of it, the draws were just as bad), based on the many injuries and setbacks we had. This game was also another opportunity to go top. The Drog headed us in front before Leroy Lita pegged the Royals back. It didn't take long for Didier to nod us back in front but a late own goal to Essien meant another disappointing Boxing Day.

 

So, no Premier League wins for this Aussie. Did see the Blues beat Sydney in 2015 in Oz thanks to Rémy's goal...but it's not quite the same. Still, I consider myself lucky to have got the chance to go to the Bridge twice. Great experience. Hoping next time (if there is) we win.

Edited January 5, 20179 yr by BellettiBullet

1 hour ago, BellettiBullet said:

Southampton at home - 2002-03 (Boxing Day)

Was nine and went with my uncle and a friend (both season ticket holders). Being from Australia, this was quite a day for me, as well as my old man and sister. A win here would have put us temporarily top. de Goey started for the first time in about 15 months as Cudicini I think injured himself in the warmup. Thought we'd taken the lead in the first half when a shot from (possibly) Zola sent the fans around me ballistic...but my little nine-year-old heart was broken when I saw Franco standing disappointedly with his hands on his knees. The ball was cleared off the line...just. Desailly I think missed a sitter late on and the Saints could have (and probably should have) won it too. This game really opened my eyes as to how different football (soccer here) is to Australian rules. The fact that referees and players could put their arms around each other while debating a call completely threw me (as well as my dad). If that was to happen in the AFL, the player would get four weeks' suspension for contact. Hell, a player here once got one week for accidentally running backwards into an umpire.

The only other time I've been fortunate enough to see Chelsea play was when we came over in 2006 (also a Boxing Day match against Reading, same people attending too).

This was, as many on here will know, around the time Drogba almost single-handedly carried us through the Christmas period. Injuries meant we had Geremi at right back, Ferreira at centre half, Hilário in goal and Magnus Hedman on the bench. No disrespect to those players at all, serviceable as they were, but it's a miracle we got through that whole period without losing (although by the end of it, the draws were just as bad), based on the many injuries and setbacks we had. This game was also another opportunity to go top. The Drog headed us in front before Leroy Lita pegged the Royals back. It didn't take long for Didier to nod us back in front but a late own goal to Essien meant another disappointing Boxing Day.

So, no Premier League wins for this Aussie. Did see the Blues beat Sydney in 2015 in Oz thanks to Rémy's goal...but it's not quite the same. Still, I consider myself lucky to have got the chance to go to the Bridge twice. Great experience. Hoping next time (if there is) we win.

Spot on with your assessments about the AFL, as a fellow Australian.

I remember Desailly missing a sitter against Southampton in the 2002 match.

 

 

Im putting this short story in here. Im 61 now..When i was 12 and in the shed end  i sang a song that i thought i knew the words to.It was aimed at the ref..A very green young boy thought the lyrics were thus.....REFEREE  REFEREE YOUR OLD LADY IS THE LAW....YOUR OLD LADY IS THE LAW.....(and) proud to have done so.......I later realised what the lyrics really were...............Oh...It was my first Bridge match v MAN CITY

Edited January 5, 20179 yr by Mike Carefree

2 hours ago, Mike Carefree said:

Im putting this short story in here. Im 61 now..When i was 12 and in the shed end  i sang a song that i thought i knew the words to.It was aimed at the ref..A very green young boy thought the lyrics were thus.....REFEREE  REFEREE YOUR OLD LADY IS THE LAW....YOUR OLD LADY IS THE LAW.....(and) proud to have done so.......I later realised what the lyrics really were...............Oh...It was my first Bridge match v MAN CITY

She probably was.

Derby 0 - 4 Chelsea, 2001.

Was 0 - 0 at half time, then we scored 4 in 2nd half. Poyet with two goals, Zola and Hasselbaink too :D Was a great day.

 1

1967/68 saw me in Havant in BTs shop...This was the start of my chelsea tenancy.....Now my time attending is getting less and less, im glad my chelsea girl CHELSEA is a hooligirl and meeting the BT too (above)

Edited February 5, 20179 yr by Mike Carefree

I used to go dog racing at The Bridge before I ever saw Chelsea play a home match. My first real live Chelsea home match was this one, v Sunderland and I was privileged to see The King net a Hat trick. my recollection is that Peter Houseman had three assists. I stood, for the only time ever, under the weird looking stand in the NE corner of the North Stand. My first away match was at age 14 when I saw Chelsea played Fulham at The Cottage in mid-week 12/10/1970 for Stan Browns testimonial, I went with my cousin and his mates from Stockwell.

 

 

 

On 18 January 2017 at 20:27, dansubrosa said:

Derby 0 - 4 Chelsea, 2001.

Was 0 - 0 at half time, then we scored 4 in 2nd half. Poyet with two goals, Zola and Hasselbaink too :D Was a great day.

 

Hi..Can anyone help? At my first Chelsea game i went to Bobby Tambling was presented with an award either before kick off or half time,guess it was for being chelsea,s all time record goalscorer? The match was 1971/72 i think? May have been Palace or westham? Can anyone remember that presentation and confirm my first ever chelsea game at the Bridge?

2 hours ago, markojokic said:

Hi..Can anyone help? At my first Chelsea game i went to Bobby Tambling was presented with an award either before kick off or half time,guess it was for being chelsea,s all time record goalscorer? The match was 1971/72 i think? May have been Palace or westham? Can anyone remember that presentation and confirm my first ever chelsea game at the Bridge?

Best bet I suppose is to find out when he broke the record and presume the award was given out at a game soon after, one of those you mention.

On a side note, was anyone at the match where they held a long throw competition which Ian Hutchinson won of course, very late 60's early 70's.  I seem to remember they threw the balls from the halfway line towards the North Stand.  May have been Wolves, possibly Arsenal or West Ham.  If it's not any of those it's a match I can't remember going to!

1st game I was 11 years old in Oct 1981 and watched us lose away to Rotherham 6-0 , I lived in Sheffield at the time and the news was full of how Chelsea were coming and the massive police presence, it was almost like do not go out if you don't need to such was the reputation of Chelsea at the time. Chelsea arrived with no more than 150-200 fans and they were in great voice...from that point I was hooked. The next game I went to was at the bridge the same season ( now in the Chelsea end)  and watched Rotherham spank us again 4-1, I was still hooked.....I think if memory serves this is still a record us conceding ten with one in reply over a season ?

 

KTBFFH

My first game was when I was around 7 or 8 years old in 2002 and we played Birmingham and beat them 3-0. Those days I would go to matches with my mum who is not a Chelsea fan at all but for safety reasons would go with me to games. Gudjohnsen got 2 and Zola got the other one. How the years have flew past. WOW. And how we massively progressed since then!

10 minutes ago, STATS said:

My first game was when I was around 7 or 8 years old in 2002 and we played Birmingham and beat them 3-0. Those days I would go to matches with my mum who is not a Chelsea fan at all but for safety reasons would go with me to games. Gudjohnsen got 2 and Zola got the other one. How the years have flew past. WOW. And how we massively progressed since then!

Great times that I do still miss because we Knew we were on the verge of something big but still underestimated, the football we played at times was sublime :)

26 minutes ago, zolapower said:

1st game I was 11 years old in Oct 1981 and watched us lose away to Rotherham 6-0 , I lived in Sheffield at the time and the news was full of how Chelsea were coming and the massive police presence, it was almost like do not go out if you don't need to such was the reputation of Chelsea at the time. Chelsea arrived with no more than 150-200 fans and they were in great voice...from that point I was hooked. The next game I went to was at the bridge the same season ( now in the Chelsea end)  and watched Rotherham spank us again 4-1, I was still hooked.....I think if memory serves this is still a record us conceding ten with one in reply over a season ?

 

KTBFFH

13 minutes ago, STATS said:

My first game was when I was around 7 or 8 years old in 2002 and we played Birmingham and beat them 3-0. Those days I would go to matches with my mum who is not a Chelsea fan at all but for safety reasons would go with me to games. Gudjohnsen got 2 and Zola got the other one. How the years have flew past. WOW. And how we massively progressed since then!