Chelsea Football Club: A Premier League Contender

Formation of the Club

Chelsea Football Club was officially formed on March 10, 1905, at The Rising Sun pub (now known as The Butcher's Hook) in Fulham Road by prominent businessman Gus Mears and his brother Joseph Mears. Their main aim was to establish a football club that could play at Stamford Bridge, which they owned (source).

The brothers initially approached Fulham F.C., but their proposal to use Stamford Bridge as their home ground was declined. As a result, they decided to create a new team – Chelsea F.C.

Early Struggles and Successes

During their early years, Chelsea faced numerous challenges such as financial difficulties and inconsistent performances on the field. Despite these struggles, the club managed to show promise and achieve some notable successes.

In 1915, under manager David Calderhead, Chelsea reached their first FA Cup final but were defeated by Sheffield United (source). Notably during this time period, legendary goalkeeper Willie 'Fatty' Foulke played for the Blues and became famous for his immense size and skillful saves (source).

After World War I ended in 1918, professional football resumed its course in England allowing teams like Chelsea FC to continue building upon past experiences.

The Swinging Sixties

Chelsea enjoyed an era of success during the mid-to-late sixties, with manager Tommy Docherty at the helm. The team played attractive and entertaining football that appealed to fans across the country.

The 1964-65 season saw Chelsea win their first major trophy, as they secured the Football League Cup by defeating Leicester City over two legs (source). A talented generation of players such as Peter Bonetti, Ron Harris, and Charlie Cooke graced Stamford Bridge during this period.

1997 - Present: Modern Era Success

Chelsea's fortunes truly changed in 1997 when Ken Bates sold a majority stake to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Under his ownership, Chelsea invested heavily in new talent and experienced significant success both domestically and internationally.

One of the most iconic moments came in 2012 when under caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea won their first UEFA Champions League title after an intense penalty shootout against Bayern Munich (source).

Some legendary players from this era include Frank Lampard (the club's all-time top scorer), John Terry (captain for many years), Didier Drogba (who scored numerous crucial goals), and Petr Cech (legendary goalkeeper).

An unforgettable quote from then-manager José Mourinho captures the spirit of this era: "Please don't call me arrogant because what I say is true. I'm European Champion so I'm not one out of bottle; I think I'm a special one" – upon being unveiled as Chelsea's new manager in June 2004 (source).

Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal has been one of Chelsea's fiercest rivals since the early days of English football. The rivalry between these two London clubs is often referred to as the North West London Derby and has produced numerous memorable matches throughout its history.

The intense animosity between the two teams dates back to 1913 when Arsenal moved from Woolwich (in southeast London) to Highbury, which was closer to Stamford Bridge. This geographical proximity fueled competition both on and off the pitch (source).

Tottenham Hotspur F.C.

Tottenham Hotspur is another major rival for Chelsea, with their matches known as the London Derby or North vs. South-West Derbies. The rivalry began in 1909 when they first faced each other in a competitive match and intensified over time due to their close geographic locations within London.

Derbies against these rivals are always feisty affairs, with aggressive tackles, passionate fans, and high-stakes drama being common features.

Stamford Bridge

Stamford Bridge has been Chelsea's home ground since their inception in 1905. Located in Fulham, southwest London, it currently holds capacity for around 41 thousand spectators after undergoing several renovations throughout its history (source). Notable features include The Shed End stand (popular among hardcore fans) and Matthew Harding Stand (named after former vice-chairman who tragically died in a helicopter crash).

Chelsea enjoys strong support from local fans who create an electric atmosphere on matchdays. Over the years, this home advantage has contributed significantly to the team's domestic success at Stamford Bridge.

Fan Base

Chelsea boasts a large global fan base spanning across various continents including Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific regions etc. Their fans are known for their loyalty and passion, often traveling great distances to support the team in both domestic and international competitions.

Notable fan groups include Chelsea Supporters Trust (CST), dedicated to representing the interests of the club's supporters (source), and The Shed End, a vocal group that creates an energetic atmosphere at home games.

Traditions

Chelsea has several time-honored traditions that contribute to its unique identity. One such tradition is playing "The Liquidator" by Harry J Allstars before every home match – a tune that energizes fans and players alike. Additionally, they have various chants sung by supporters including the famous 'Blue Is The Colour' song during games.

1. Winning their first UEFA Champions League title in 2012 against Bayern Munich.
2. Securing a historic Premier League and FA Cup Double under Carlo Ancelotti in 2009-10.
3. Capturing their first league title since 1955 under José Mourinho with record points (95) during the 2004-05 season.
4. Defeating Leeds United after extra-time to win the FA Cup final in 1970 - their first major trophy since inception.
5. Legendary forward Gianfranco Zola scoring his famous backheel goal against Norwich City at Stamford Bridge on December 7th,1996.
6. Beating FC Barcelona with ten men in Camp Nou en-route to winning UEFA Champions League during semi-final second leg encounter on April 24th,2012
7. A stunning comeback victory over Napoli in last-16 tie of UEFA Champions League featuring Branislav Ivanovic's extra-time winner on March14th,2012
8. Frank Lampard breaking Bobby Tambling's all-time goalscoring record for Chelsea with his 203rd goal against Aston Villa on May 11th,2013.
9. Chelsea's dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup final, with Ramires and Didier Drogba securing the trophy on May 5th,2012
10. The incredible last-gasp equalizer by Eden Hazard against Tottenham Hotspur to hand Leicester City their first-ever Premier League title on May 2nd,2016