Have been lurking around the excellent site for years and have finally taken the plunge to register

I first watched Chelsea at Stamford Bridge aged six on Saturday 16th August 1969.  Chelsea beat Ipswich Town 1-0 with a goal from the late great Ian Hutchinson.  A love affair was born that day that has continued for well over 50 years, but my memories of that first visit is still clear in my mind.  Seeing the pitch laid out like a green carpet, the noise, the songs, the crowd of thirty thousand, knowing that I first heard the Liquidator at about ten to three that day and still hear it before every match.  And then there was my first ever Chelsea goal, pure magic.

To begin with, I started watching from the terrace area under the old North Stand.  Only being a nipper, we always arrived early so that I could stand on a wooden kitchen stool against a barrier to lean on.  I can remember there was a sort of walkway in front of us, which meant that our position was raised allowing me a clear view over the heads of all those in front of me.  Over the years I migrated to the Shed (right of passage for a teenager now allowed to go to games with mates), spent a few years watching from the benches (less atmosphere but much better view), a few seasons in Gate 13, before heading back to the proper seats in the Old West Stand.  From there was a period in the Matthew Harding Upper and lower to the point where when I now get to games, it's usually in the West Stand, occasionally lower, but usually top tier.

As for favourite players, the cup winning side from 1970 are all gods.  We won the cup at the end of my first season.  I saw almost every home game that season and London aways, including the Palace, QPR and Watford cup games (the semi was played at WHL)  Was devastated when aged seven I was told I was too small to go to the final at Wembley.  I had already collected together a full set of the vouchers printed in each home programme ready to get a ticket.  back to the players, Ossie was everyone's favourite in the cup winning side, but I also followed Charlie Cooke, the tricky Scottish winger that always generated a buzz in the crowd when he got the ball.  Over the years, there have been others that stood out.  Franco Zola, Makelele (so good they named the position after him), Wee Pat Nevin, John Terry, Big Frank, Drogba, Wise, the list could go on.  A few surprises would include Keith Weller who we signed, was our top scorer as we won the Cup Winners Cup in 71, only to the sell him again after just that one season.  Many nowadays will probably not have even heard of him.

Highlights include Promotion back to Division One in 1977 (Eddie McCreadie's Blue and White Army), winning the cup winners cup in Stockholm in 98 (had an excellent 24 hours for that) finally winning the league in 2004 and retaining it the following year, the double in 2010 and then Champions League in 2012 1nd 2021.  I will forever be thankful for having a song that others can not sing.  as for songs, so many years of Ten Men Went to Mow, Blue Flag etc.

Lowest points will be early 1972.  I went to Orient when just expecting us to win the FA Cup again (we had won trophies in my first two seasons).  two nil up, only to lose 3-2.  It was a couple of days before my 9th birthday.  A week later I went to see Chelsea at Wembley for the first time, only to lose the League Cup Final 2-1 against Stoke City.  The sudden sale of Osgood and Hudson in 1974 (you do not sell your gods). The relegation in 1975 hurt more than the others that followed.  At 12 years old I did not understand the Financial crisis swallowing the club).  Another low was JT's slip as we lost the Champions League final on penalties.

Loved the Roman Empire.  When others ask where were you when you here sh*t?  I can say Rotherham, Hereford, Cambridge etc as in I lived and followed through the lean times before RA's arrival.  Have not enjoyed the last two season's, What are ClearLake doing to our club?  Pleasantly surprised this season, but still not Xmas, so we could come down with the decorations.

One wish on our kit.  I hate it when we play in blue socks, so would rather see the return a return of Yellow socks.  Its what we did back when I first started watching.  and is it too much to ask for a return of the one inch stripe down the shorts.  Ordinarily white, but yellow when wearing yellow socks.  Number to change similarly.  Favourite kit in years was the one off retro blue with yellow trim worn in the FA Cup a couple of years ago.

Well I have said enough for now.  My favourite page on the site is the vintage one.  Love to see the pictures and have loads of memories to share in time.  Also love the what we used to wear chain.  So much gear that I used to wear and so much I had forgotten along the way.  I am unlikely to post every day or every week, but will come in occasionally as still have some fairly strong views.  Unfortunately unable to get to as many games as I used to.  Originally from Essex, 17 years ago I moved to the North-West and got married.  In doing so, I gave up my season ticket and rely on mates to sort a ticket occasionally when one of our group can not attend and I am able to swing working in London.  Final word/opinion, when I gave up my season ticket, I think I was paying around a grand to sit around the middle and towards the front of the Upper West stand.  Out of interest I had a look at what they want for the same seat in West View.  Over three grand, what's going on?

Welcome on @Dick Turpin and thanks for the great background story, proper Chels that!

Where in Essex did you move from?

Romford.  Now just outside Liverpool.