Return to the Shed Campaign - Update

[loz]

ATMOSPHERE UPDATES

THE STORY SO FAR

(update provided to me by one of the organisers of the campaign)

The general consensus from fans around the ground is that the atmosphere for the Birmingham game was great, and certainly a massive improvement from last season, but dipped a bit for the Portsmouth match. I think this is fair comment. With our defeat at Villa, the lads need us to be right on song for the Blackburn game.

However, there is no doubt that the general curve is upwards from where we were last season. To help us to interact with fans in other stands, sing in unison and minimise flatspots we're looking to increase the variety of songs we sing, especially for the players. We've got a massive repetoire of established chants and we need to use them, together with some neat new ones recently created. We've got plans to capture these songs and make them available to everybody online (in audio and print), so watch out for details very soon on the Club Shed forum, which you can reach from http://www.returntotheshed.co.uk.

In the meantime, don't tell your loved ones about the later kick off. Leave for the Blackburn match at the same time and do as much "limbering up" as you can, if you know what I mean!

MEETING PLACES

Don't forget, if you're at a loose end on a matchday and want to have a beer before the game, join the Club Shed fans in the So Bar (noisy) or Butchers Hook (less noisy).

SHED 100 INITIATIVES

The first Shed 100 is for the Blackburn game but has sadly been undersubscribed, mainly due to the lack of time we had to plan and publicise this. For those who don't know, this is a great opportunity for members who want to get behind the team to sit with like-minded fans in one large group in the Shed end. You can meet for a beer before and/or after the game and generally have a great craic. It also guarantees a member a ticket, as we have to allocate places before tickets go on sale. The impact the fans made at the Bolton game was great - here's hoping for a repeat this season.

If you haven't experienced it yet but want to give it a go for future matches, contact petebull@cfcnet.co.uk to register your interest asap. Man City in late October is a possibility, though this has yet to be confirmed. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

SHED END v FULHAM

Shed Upper has already sold out for this one. If you're thinking of coming to the game and want to make a difference, buy your tickets in Shed LOWER.

MISS GOING TO AWAY GAMES - TRY A DAY TRIP TO WIGAN?

We've still got magnificent away support, but it can never be like it was in the 70s and 80s, can it? Nowadays, the expense, difficulty of parking, small away allocation, no chance of a beer close to the ground, occasional potential for trouble and poor view once in the stadium puts a lot of people off. Also, televised games and unsociable kick off times make it so easy to be an armchair punter these days. Well, Wigan away on 3rd November has all the attributes to buck the trend.

We're likely to be allocated the entire away end for this game (about 5,000 tickets). Those who have been to the JJB stadium before have told us how relatively easy it is to park up and get a drink near the ground without any trouble, and the locals are generally friendly! Wigan Athletic have dropped their prices this season (home fans pay ?15 - CFC details to follow but hopefully the same). Couple that with the fact that the game is a SATURDAY kick off at 3pm, and we have all the ingredients to really get behind the team and help the regular away fans!

Travelling by train might be a bit awkward still for some, but many fans have already signed up to go together in cars or hire vans, coaches etc. for the day. The take up for this is potentially huge, judging by the feedback we've had so far on the forums. We're also hoping to get a number of Official coaches laid on, dependent on demand. This will be for fans who want to make the game and don't have their own means of transport or want a cheaper alternative to taking the train.

Ticket details will be known shortly and will be going on sale in early October. We therefore have some time to organise ourselves and spread the word. Tell every fellow Chelsea fan you know.

This could be a great day out. Again, visit the Club Shed forum and search for the "Wigan away" thread for more details. Alternatively, just buy your tickets when they come out and we'll see you there!

NEXT ATMOSPHERE MEETING WITH THE CLUB

The committee members are due to meet with Club officials on the day of the Blackburn Rovers game (September 15th). If you have any further ideas, suggestions etc, on boosting the atmosphere please contact jerrykendik@cfcnet.co.uk and we will present all realistic ideas at the meeting.

JERRY KENDIK

[loz]

Latest Update

Calling ALL members.

We're going to repeat the Shed 100 for the visit of Manchester City on 27 October. If you want to join in with this initiative, please register as soon as possible.

We're calling on vocal, committed supporters (members only) who

Want to get behind the team

Want to sit with like-minded fellow fans

Want to enjoy a cracking day out at the Bridge

To register their interest right away. Please hurry. The first 100 fans to register will be allocated a ticket in the Shed End. You will be sat in a block of fans who like to sing, get behind the team and hopefully you will have a really good time. Also, for those that want to, you can meet other Club Shed members before and/or after the game for a drink. More details will follow after registering.

Cost of ticket is ?48 (?35 for 16-21yo) Shed Upper, or ?45 (?33) Shed Lower. If Man City bring 1,500 fans, we will be in UPPER. If they bring 3,000, we will be in LOWER. The normal booking fee applies.

I'm keen - How do I register?

Simply contact petebull@cfcnet.co.uk and he will add you to the list. or alternatively register on the http://forums.cfcnet.co.uk/index.php?showforum=78 Pete will need your payment details soon afterwards. Remember, this is for MEMBERS ONLY. Please help the team and enjoy a really pleasurable day out.

For more news regarding this and other atmosphere initiatives, visit http://www.returntotheshed.co,uk or click on the link above to the Club Shed forum.

[loz]

Latest Update (as at 27 Sept 2007)

JOSE, FULHAM & SHALKE

I was intending to congratulate everyone on a really good effort atmosphere

wise at the Blackburn match, and asking for more of the same against

Fulham, our first game this season with 3,000 away fans. However, the

events of the last week have turned the Club on its head and it looks like

we won't need any stoking up for Saturday. That's one way to boost the

atmosphere, I suppose!

One of the things the organisers of this campaign have prided themselves on

is that nothing we've tried so far has been stage managed. Organised yes,

but there's nothing worse than contrived atmosphere in our opinion.

There's no reason to change that now. This is a personal view. For all

the talk of protests, demonstrations and walkouts etc, I feel that the best

thing to do is to sing up loudly for Jose, let everyone who's watching and

listening know what we thought of him, but after that GET BEHIND THE TEAM.

They need us to put on a show too. If you don't agree with these

sentiments, that's cool, do your own thing, but please support the lads as

much as you can.

Also, keep bringing in more colour into the ground. For Shed enders, there

will be a kiosk on the concourse where you can buy flags/scarves etc.

Please use this facility if you can.

The recently announced CL price reductions for the Shalke and Valencia

games remove a reason not to turn up for many fans. Whatever you think of

the Club and its motives here, the simple fact is that now it is ?25 (?12

concessions) + booking fee to watch Chelsea play in the Champions League

against decent opposition. If finances allow, you know what to do, surely.

LAST CHANCE TO JOIN THE SHED 100 v MAN CITY - SAT 27 OCTOBER

We only have two days to finalise numbers for the next Shed 100 game. Man

City are bringing 1,500 fans, so the Shed 100 will be in the UPPER tier.

Please hurry if you are interested. Contact petebull@cfcnet.co.uk before

12 noon Friday 28 September. Here's a link to an article on TOCFCWS which

describes a great day out to all who want to join in (please note: The

club changes its links from time to time and if the link below launches a

different story, go to the archive news section and look for the "Call to

join Shed 100" article)

http://www.chelseafc.com/xxchelsea18070 ... 2210603_25

WIGAN AWAY TRIP - SAT 3 NOVEMBER

Firstly, can I say that our away support has excelled itself this season so

far. Magnificent efforts all round. I'm just sorry we don't have the

resources and time available to galvanise support for upcoming games like

Bolton, Boro etc. to help the regulars out. We have to concentrate on

matches where we think we can make maximum impact. Wigan, as you should be

aware of by now, is a perfect example.

We're likely to be allocated the entire away end for this game (about 5,000

tickets). It's relatively easy to park up and get a drink near the ground

without any trouble, and the locals are generally friendly! Wigan Athletic

have dropped their prices this season (home fans pay ?15 - CFC details to

follow but hopefully the same). Couple that with the fact that the game is

a non-televised, SATURDAY kick off at 3pm and we're not up in the gods and

we have all the ingredients to have a great day out, really get behind the

team and bolster the regular away support!

The take up for this is potentially huge, judging by the feedback we've had

so far on the forums. We're also hoping to get official club transport

laid on, dependent on demand.

Ticket details will be known shortly and will be going on sale in early

October. We still have some time to organise ourselves and spread the

word. Tell every fellow Chelsea fan you know.

This could be a great day out. Visit the Club Shed forum (via

http://www.returntotheshed.co.uk) and search for the "Wigan away" thread for more

details. Alternatively, just buy your tickets when they come out and we'll

see you there!

EAST UPPER FOR CUP TIES - DON'T LAUGH, IT COULD WORK !

Attention now turns to the later stages of the Carling Cup. Should we be

drawn at home in the next round(s) to a side whose fans want to turn up in

their subsidised droves, complete with jesters hats and blow-up atmosphere

aids, we now have a problem. The season ticket holders in the Shed end

will have to move. Now, you could get your ticket anywhere in the ground,

but why don't we all stick together?

We have had discussions with the club and found out there is a block from

the front of the EAST UPPER (nearest the Shed End) which can accommodate

all displaced Shed End ST holders. So, why not give it a go? The East

Upper is rightly given bad press atmosphere-wise because it contains a

mixture of otherwise committed fans who don't want to sing or the less

committed casual matchgoer. The blocks of seats we're talking about here

contains no ST holders so we would just be be transported temporarily - but

will still be together. Seats are sold from the front rows first, so the

view should be good too for early birds.

What have we got to lose? Talk to your fellow fans at the match on

Saturday. Its success or failure depends on the take up, but why wouldn't

it work? Banter with the away fans, a concentrated block of singers,

recognisable "faces" close by. The Shed end in all but location! Please

give it a try.

Jerry Kendik on behalf of the Atmosphere working group

[glory55]

On the Wigan away game we are trying to take a massive support up there.

Wigan give a larger allocation than most clubs in the league,so the plan is to take huge numbers up there and take over!

Im almost certainly going,anyone else fancy it???

If it happens the way we are hoping......You wont forget it!!

[BLUENUT]

when do the Wigan tickets go on sale?

[glory55]

when do the Wigan tickets go on sale?

To

AWAY S/T HOLDERS-HOME S/T HOLDERS..... Mon 8th Oct

MEMBERS.......Mon 15th Oct

It would be really good I might even get the coach up or there is talk of a special train.

Or maybe even get someone to drive?

COME ON YOU BLUES!!

[loz]

Latest Update

LEICESTER CITY - JOIN THE DISPLACED SHED SEASON TICKET HOLDERS IN EAST

UPPER SOUTH

Leicester City fans are taking the entire Shed End for this game. We have

advised Shed ST holders to purchase in East Upper (Shed side) to keep

together. And why not? A big block available, great view and acoustics.

East Upper is only quiet because there aren't many singers in there

normally! There is no other block large enough to accommodate Shed Enders

in the ground.

Tickets are on sale now to ST holders. It doesn't matter where you

normally sit (you don't have to be a Shed ST holder), if you want to join

in, please do one of the following:-

1. Ring the telesales staff and ask for East Upper South (gate 4)

2. Buy online and select East Upper (south). You ticket will be in or

around Gate 4.

Remember, this is an experiment, but we the fans can make it happen. The

quicker you get your tickets, the closer to the front you will be!

When tickets go on sale to members shortly, please go for this option too

if you want to get behind the team and help the MH end.

(Loz 's Note - Noise in the East Upper!! Good luck with that

)

[glory55]

They got us a train for Wigan away!!!

And for a tenner!!

[Barn]

Kenyon's putting on a train is he???? That man will soon have legend status at this rate!

[Mod]

LEICESTER CITY - JOIN THE DISPLACED SHED SEASON TICKET HOLDERS IN EAST

UPPER SOUTH

Leicester City fans are taking the entire Shed End for this game. We have

advised Shed ST holders to purchase in East Upper (Shed side) to keep

together. And why not? A big block available, great view and acoustics.

East Upper is only quiet because there aren't many singers in there

normally! There is no other block large enough to accommodate Shed Enders

in the ground.

I reckon that could sound brilliant up there, right in the middle of the ground, get it all echoing around the roof. Be excellant!! The atmosphere that stand has craved for years.

[BLUENUT]

Atmosphere in the east..........good luck

[loz]

LATEST UPDATE

PLEASE PRINT THIS WIGAN FLYER AND TAKE TO THE MAN CITY OR LEICESTER GAMES

If you are going to either the Manchester City and/or Leicester matches, can you help us and do your bit for the Wigan awayday?

This is the last push for the game, we want to sell the remaining tickets and this will target our matchgoing fanbase.

Please click on this http://www.CFCnet.co.uk/attachments/wigan.doc

print off 20 copies or so if you can and hand them out to fellow fans at your local boozer or on the train etc. Alternatively you can save the flyer to your desktop (right click the link) and email it to any Chelsea fan you know.

This is the first of the planned "awaydays" organised by the Return To The Shed Campaign committee and should be a cracking day out! Match ticket ?20, Coach travel ?10!

By doing this, you don't have to be going to Wigan yourself to help us make a difference, but it would be great if you could come as well.

Thank you

Return to the Shed Committee

[Tim W]

Must say the atmosphere in the Shed on Sunday was excellent and on the odd occasion when we and the MH were singing the same song it sound loud. Next plan must be to get the Shed and MH to sing in unison a bit more often and I reckon at least a good part of West stand would be forced to join in. We know the east stand can't sing in fear of waking the residents of the adjacent necropolis

[Alan]

Must say the atmosphere in the Shed on Sunday was excellent and on the odd occasion when we and the MH were singing the same song it sound loud. Next plan must be to get the Shed and MH to sing in unison a bit more often and I reckon at least a good part of West stand would be forced to join in. We know the east stand can't sing in fear of waking the residents of the adjacent necropolis

The atmosphere was very good, and the banners look good. I particularly liked the 'In the Shed End we'll stand, making history' banner (can't remember exactly what it said).

The East Upper is pretty hopeless really, the Lower is a bit better but not by an awful lot. Where I sit in the West Lower (Gate 6) is generally quite loud.

I say we shove the away fans up into the East Upper, it wouldnt exactly be a great loss to the atmosphere.

[Tim W]

I say we shove the away fans up into the East Upper, it wouldnt exactly be a great loss to the atmosphere.

Or Craven Cottage

[loz]

Latest Article

SHED 100 v NEWCASTLE UNITED - SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER 2007 ko 3pm

We're going in again with another Shed 100. Please make this worthwhile. NO TIMEWASTERS PLEASE. Sign up now and give yourself a great Christmas present.

We are looking for 100 MEMBERS who want to sit together in one block in the Shed End, get behind the team with like-minded fellow fans and have a great day out, with an optional added incentive of pre/post match refreshments in the So Bar or Butchers Hook.

All we want at this stage is confirmation that you want to be involved and how many of you there will be. We will reply to confirm membership, payment and contact details shortly after, and whether you qualify for a 16-21yo concession price.

Not much time though. WE NEED TO SUBMIT DETAILS TO THE CLUB BY WED 28 NOVEMBER. So please respond asap if you're interested. Remember, this is for MEMBERS ONLY WHO WANT TO GET BEHIND THE TEAM.

PLEASE NOTE: If Newcastle bring 1,500, the Shed 100 will be in the Upper tier. If 3,000 away fans come down, the Shed 100 will be in the Lower tier. We only want you if you're prepared to join in regardless of location. Normal Shed End ticket prices (£48 Upper, £45 Lower) + booking fee apply.

To sign up for this excellent day out or if you want more details, send an email to clubshed@CFCnet.co.uk, This is open to ANY Chelsea FC member.

DISPLACED SHED (AND OTHER) SEASON TICKET HOLDERS FOR CARLING CUP v LIVERPOOL

If you're going to the Liverpool Carling Cup Quarter Final and are . . .

1. A Shed End ST holder who will be displaced for this game

2. A ST holder who normally sits in West Lower/Upper but wants to get more involved in getting behind the team * 3. A member who feels likewise

Get your tickets for this game in EAST UPPER, (SHED/SOUTH SIDE). Help us create a second area to assist the Matthew Harding End.

Tickets go on sale to ST holders on 22 November and to members a week later. Do your bit and spread the word.

* You can buy your ticket in the East Stand during the initial Season Ticket sales period.

[loz]

Latest Info

DISPLACED SHED (AND OTHER) SEASON TICKET HOLDERS FOR FA CUP 3rd ROUND v QPR

If you're going to the FA Cup match against QPR and are . . .

1. A Shed End ST holder who will be displaced for this game

2. A ST holder who normally sits elsewhere in the ground but wants to get more involved in getting behind the team **

3. A member who feels likewise

Get your tickets for this game in EAST UPPER, (SHED/SOUTH SIDE). Help us create a second area to assist the Matthew Harding End.

Tickets go on sale to ST holders on Friday 7 December and to members from Wed 12 December. Do your bit and spread the word.

** You can buy your ticket in the East Stand during the initial Season Ticket sales period.

[loz]

Latest Article from one of the main co-ordinators

The general consensus was that the fans in the East Upper, Shed side made a decent contribution to the atmosphere for the Liverpool Quarter Final. Now it's time to go in again for the semi. Just like the return to the Shed campaign, this will just get better over time provided we publicise it and keep the momentum going.

Get yourselves up there and give us another area to help the MHL. Let's continue getting behind the team as we have done all season.

The easy option is to go into the MHL, but come on, spread the word and join in. There were loads of Shed enders in there and I'm sure they'll come again. Remember, you don't have to be a displaced Shed ST holder. ANYBODY can get their tickets in East Upper during the reservation period for ST holders. Members too once they're able to.

So,

1. If you're getting your tickets online ( on sale Sat 22 December)

Select East Upper (South). My advice would be to grab tickets anywhere between rows 1 - 12ish, and seats 160ish to 193. If you buy in here, you will be close to the away fans and a decent atmosphere will be pretty much guaranteed if the Liverpool game is anything to go by.

2. If you're buying over the phone or at the box office (on sale Christmas Eve), just ask for a seat in Gate 1, next to the Shed end, again asking for your preference anywhere between row 1 - 12, seat 160 - 193. Seat 193 is nearest the away fans. Seat 1 for example would be down the other end, so no good.

If you're too late, please choose tickets as close as possible to this block.

Come on, let's 'ave it again!

[blizeH]

I didn't like the forum much myself, but I was a member of CFCNet for quite a while and they run similar campaigns to this - it could be worth working with them (and other Chelsea forums?) just to help ensure it's as effective as possible :)

[loz]

We are working with them blize - these articles appear on all here, CFCnet and a few other sites as well. I don't write them, they are sent to me by one of the main organisers (as they are to quite a few other site administrators) and I post them up.

[blizeH]

Oh! I never knew that, in that case excellent news, and good to see we've all got the same aim in mind :)

[loz]

Latest article

SHED 100 v DERBY COUNTY - SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2008 ko 3pm

We're going in again with another Shed 100.

Following on from the successful day out v Newcastle, we are looking for the first 100 MEMBERS who want to sit together for this match in one block in the Shed End. You will be able to get behind the team with like-minded fellow fans and will hopefully have a great day out, with an optional added incentive of pre/post match refreshments in the So Bar or Butchers Hook.

It's also likely that some of the Shed 100 for Derby will be interviewed and featured on Chelsea TV.

All we need at this stage is confirmation that you want to be involved and how many of you there will be. We will then gather membership, payment and contact details shortly afterwards. Normal Shed End ticket prices (£48 Upper, £45 Lower) + booking fee apply. Student concessions also apply.

We need to submit details to the Club by FRIDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2008. So, please respond asap if you want to take part. Remember, this is for MEMBERS ONLY WHO WANT TO GET BEHIND THE TEAM.

To register your interest, please send an email asap to

clubshed@cfcnet.co.uk. This is open to ANY Chelsea FC member.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. If Derby bring 1,500 fans, the Shed 100 will be in the Upper tier. If 3,000 away fans come down, the Shed 100 will be in the Lower tier. We only want you if you're prepared to join in regardless of location.

2. There is still the possibility of a time or date change (to cater for TV scheduling), and we won't know for sure till around the submission date. You won't have to buy tickets until the date and time is confimed and

you're happy to take part. NO TIMEWASTERS PLEASE.

[loz]

Latest Article

We're going in again with the next Shed 100, this time with the visit of Wigan Athletic on Monday April 14, kick off 8pm. (* please see important note below, it might revert to the Saturday if we draw at Barnsley)

We are looking for the first 100 MEMBERS who want to sit together for this match in one block in the Shed End Upper tier**.  You will be able to get behind the team with like-minded fellow fans and will hopefully have a great night out, with the optional added incentive of pre match drinks in the So Bar or Butchers Hook.  Meeting fellow fans who are as passionate about Chelsea as you are (over a drink) is one of the best aspects of the day.

It's also possible that some of the Shed 100 for Wigan will be interviewed and featured on Chelsea TV.  The feedback from the Newcastle game was very positive and we know we can improve things further still. We're looking to be sat in a rectangular block this time (around gate 4, so centrally located behind the goal(ish)).

All we need at this stage is confirmation that you want to be involved and how many of you there will be.

Paul Eden is managing things again and he will gather membership, payment and contact details from you shortly after you register your interest. Normal Shed End ticket prices (£48 Upper) + booking fee apply.  Student concessions, if you qualify, also apply.

We need to submit details to the Club by SUNDAY 9 MARCH 2008 which is the day after the Barnsley cup tie. So, please drop an email to clubshed@cfcnet.co.uk if you want to take part.  Remember, this is for MEMBERS ONLY WHO WANT TO GET BEHIND THE TEAM. Looking for people who can make either the Monday or the Saturday really, but we have a day or so to confirm either way once the cup tie result is known, so you have a (brief) chance to decide before you commit to pay.

To register your interest(s), please email clubshed@cfcnet.co.uk asap. This offer is open to ANY Chelsea FC member.  More details will follow once you?ve signed up.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

* If we draw against Barnsley in the FA Cup 6th round, the Spurs away fixture on 19 March will be moved to 15 or 16 April to accomodate the replay. This means the Wigan game will revert back to a Saturday kick off.

** Or Shed Lower, but only if Wigan bring 3,000. If they do bring that many, we'd be very surprised.