I've Been working on this for a day or so and it's just my thoughts on the final and the effect it will have on the club. Let me known what you think:

May 23rd will be remembered as a very significant day in Chelsea’s history. The result was not what we had hoped for, but when taken into perspective, just getting to the final should be celebrated by all those associated with club.

The club was on the brink of financial collapse before Roman saved us and if you had said to a Chelsea fan 10 years ago that they would play in a Champions League Final they would have laughed and suggested you lay off hard substances. This fact has largely been glossed over by the media, given the money we have spent. It is common knowledge to anyone whose read a newspaper that we make our money harvesting the hearts of puppies whilst other clubs sell flowers and sunshine.

But the media’s perspective doesn’t matter to those who really matter: the fans. Those who had waited so long and thought they’d never see this day come: Chelsea in a European Cup Final.

Admittedly I wasn’t around in the dark days of the 1970s and 1980s (on account of not being born) and haven’t had it as hard as older fans. My Dad has told me tales of his exploits following Chelsea home and away throughout the 70s and 80s after coming over from Ireland in 1974.

As strange as it may sound, that defeat should be savoured. A fall from grace can occur very quickly in football, and you only have to look at the example of Leeds to see how quickly things can turn sour. In 2002, Leeds played Valencia in a Champions League Semi-Final. 5 years later they were relegated to the third tier of English football.

We may never again experience what we did on that May evening, and if we do, some might not live to see it again. Some people have waited 20, 30, 40 years to witness Chelsea play in arguably the biggest game in world football alongside the World Cup Final.

The game and experience surrounding the final really did encapsulate what football is all about. The despair when Ronaldo headed United into the lead, the pandemonium in the stands when Lampard tucked the equaliser away and the sheer torture of penalties. The dejected walk out of the stadium while your opponents remain, celebrating. It had to be of us, and it turned out to be Chelsea.

That rain-soaked night in Moscow will sustain the players and the fans who witnessed such heartbreak. We reached a European Cup Final and me and 20,000 other Blues in the stadium sang our hearts out for nearly two hours in the hope that we would do it. But we didn’t, that is life.

The journey back was hell, me and my Dad were delayed for 9 hours delayed at Vnukovo airport. Eventually I arrived home at around 6pm Thursday evening, tired, deflated, but proud. Chelsea should have won the game but luck was on United’s side. We have to move on.

In the end, that what supporting your team is all about. You go through the pain because you love the club and know that better days will come. You travel to the game knowing that you might lose but you just don’t think about it. All that matters is being there and cheering YOUR team on.

At the time of writing, Phil Scolari has been appointed Chelsea manager and is set to take the reigns on July 1st, a week away. As always, the club will go on. But that night in Moscow will always be remembered by all associated with the club.

Mark my words: We will be back.

Carefree.

Edited June 23, 200816 yr by Alan

You just reminded me....

The biggest 2 games weve had against manure, FA cup final 94 and CL final 08, and it pissed down buckets on both occasions and we lost both, probably 2 of the worst days in my life.

As Suggs once said "Weve waited so long, but we'll wait forever".

You just reminded me....

The biggest 2 games weve had against manure, FA cup final 94 and CL final 08, and it pissed down buckets on both occasions and we lost both, probably 2 of the worst days in my life.

As Suggs once said "Weve waited so long, but we'll wait forever".

and we also hit the woodwork on both occasions...i still rate 94 as my most devastating moment as a chelsea fan, it was old chelsea and if we'd won, it would have been an achievement that would have outshone anything recently, but last month was pretty close

Edited June 24, 200816 yr by The Brit

'94 was the day I switched from being a Manc to a Chelsea fan (I was only young!) - such good memories of that day, despite the loss. Downloaded it recently and watched the first half, that Peacock shot - good times!

Edited June 24, 200816 yr by blizeH

You just reminded me....

The biggest 2 games weve had against manure, FA cup final 94 and CL final 08, and it pissed down buckets on both occasions and we lost both, probably 2 of the worst days in my life.

As Suggs once said "Weve waited so long, but we'll wait forever".

We've just gotta wait til we meet Boro in the final in 3 years time then :lol:

Funny Bluenut

I like you Alan was in Moscow of course.. got the banner to prove it :lol: .. and I would concur in your excellent little piece.

I was at Wembley in '94... (I was the one who got Steve Bruce in the ear with a stick of celery) the kudos I got for that remarcable thow and aim... couldnt do it again if I tried a 1000 times.

Anyway '94 was the reverse in terms of the game.. we were much better in the first half, a brilliant fisrt half perfomance by the now Songs of Praise presenter Gavin Peacock.. hit the bar as was said.. we thought they were there for the taking.

But ignore the dodgy pen decsisions they were better where it matter to be honest but we went away feeling really dejected like we might not be in a cup final again.

I n Moscow, we were robbed, and the world saw it. We deserved that and it was a cruel way to lose.. for that and the fact that it was a historical moment for the club, yes we held our heads up a lot prouder.. in the knowledge like you say we will be back soon. Over the last few years lets be honest we have looked like the side most likely to win the damn thing...

As a chelsea fan all of my 38 years I can honestly say though I still prepare myself for disappointment.. like Arsenal we may never win it.. you need the wind the right direction too.

As requested, Alan, I will let you know what I think…

I think that was an excellent post that struck just the right notes - of pain, hope and defiance - that almost every Chelsea fan experienced, although not necessarily in quite the same way. Us older fans went into the game with a much higher threshold for pain than you youngsters. Our hopes were more like expectations and the defiance, well, it wears thin over the years, but it’s good to see in those who will be around long after we are gone.

Savouring defeat is much like having a bitter pill to swallow, in so far as it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth, but you kinda know it will do you good in the long run. I prefer to think of this whole Champions League experience as part of a learning curve and, having reached our first final, we are still on the up. Compare our current situation with that of United and it is clear that, whilst they did the Double, their enjoyment of it has been strangely muted and short term. How easily they have been derailed by the circus act that is Ronaldo the Magnificent! How easily the hard-done-by Red Devils become the do-as-you-would-be done-by hypocrites, whereas, despite all Media efforts to portray us to the contrary, Chelsea have got themselves out of convalescence pretty quickly, found a proper manager and displayed far more dignity in defeat than would ever have been expected of their opponents, if their instant sullenness over losing an obnoxiously selfish brat is anything to go by.

Moving on, I particularly like this bit, Alan - “We may never again experience what we did on that May evening, and if we do, some might not live to see it again. Some people have waited 20, 30, 40 years to witness Chelsea play in arguably the biggest game in world football alongside the World Cup Final.†Even though at the time we thought differently, our defeat does not lessen that experience and the reception the team will get [particularly JT] on the first game of the new season will be testimony to that fact. Also, it will be interesting to contrast the outpouring of support there will be for Frank with the outpouring [of something else] for the little winker at Old Trafford, whether either player is present or not. We have had too much pain, hope and defiance in those 20,30, 40 years to react any differently while the United diet of shiny silverware success appears to have blinded them to the experience itself.

Talking of reaction, it is clear that Roman loves his football and, in order to enjoy it more, he is prepared to dream an impossible dream or two. So it is an odds on safe bet that you are right, Alan, we will be back - just all the better for the previous experiences. :lol:

i still rate 94 as my most devastating moment as a chelsea fan

oh god yeah me too. when the 3rd went in it was the only time ive cried at a match. i normally stay till the end of every game but it was just too painful. i heard the 4th went in at wembley park station and by then i just shrugged, i was too numb and id didnt register. we were so much better than a 4 nil defeat. that was an important game for us though and a learning curve for many players. not that we knew that then though. the crack of the bar from peacocks shot will go with me to the grave. i think deep down , when that happened we knew that was the chance and it wasnt to be.

oh and alan, great fu*king post.

Yeah 94 was my first season following Chelsea, and the thing that hasn't been mentioned yet, is that we were the only team in the premiership to defeat Man Utd both home and away that season. So 4-0 was hard to take, even if it was your first season with the club.

Alan makes some great points, and he main one I feel is that we are lucky to have been there. Again, the woodwork, again Man U, again a wet day, and again we lose. It was just meant to be for Man Utd. I truly hope wea re all still here the time it is meant to be Chelsea's

Thanks Alan

Scott