The twenty-first century has provided good times for regular visitors to Stamford Bridge. In the last decade alone, Chelsea FC ticket holders have had the pleasure of seeing their club win the Premiere League title three times.
Compared with some of their London stable mates, Chelsea FC was a relative latecomer to league football, staring out as a pub team in 1905 and entering the league soon after. Despite gaining a reputation early on for securing prestigious players, it was fifty years after their formation that Chelsea saw their first major competition success when they won the league championship in 1955.
The sixties and seventies provided brighter times for Chelsea, during which period they added a League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup to their trophy cabinet. But as the club entered the 1980s, a change of fortunes brought on by hooliganism and overambitious spending almost brought the club to its knees; with Stamford Bridge in the hands of property developers, Chelsea FC risked losing their beloved ground.
The club was rescued by businessman Ken Bates who, despite his somewhat controversial opinions, steered the club back to financial health and, in a 21-year tenure, became Chelsea’s most successful chairman.
1996 heralded a new era of success for Chelsea which has seen them win two Community Shields, three League Cups, five FA Cups, and a UEFA Super Cup and Cup Winners Cup. The club is on a roll once more, so pick up your Chelsea FC tickets and watch as they continue their bid for Premiership dominance.