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Chelsea FC History

Chelsea Oldest Goalscorer Thiago Silva

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

Thiago Silva became Chelsea’s oldest goalscorer at 39 years and 51 days when he headed the Blues first goal in an iconic 4-4 draw against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Thiago Silva’s achievement makes him the fourth oldest player to score in the Premier League, behind Teddy Sheringham, Dean Windass, and Ryan Giggs. He will have to play at least another season to have a chance of beating the 40 years and 251 days set by Teddy Sheringham.

Thiago Silva became Chelsea's oldest goalscorer

Thiago Silva became Chelsea’s oldest goalscorer against Manchester City

To celebrate his achievement, we have put together a rundown of the five oldest Chelsea goalscorers

5. John Terry (36 Years, 159 Days)

John Terry, made his Chelsea debut in 1998 and left more than 19 years later!

As captain, he led Chelsea to an era of unprecedented success, including multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, a League Cup, the UEFA Europa League, and the 2012 UEFA Champions League. Renowned as the best defender of his generation with a knack of scoring crucial goals, Terry made over 700 club appearances, epitomizing loyalty and leadership. He left Chelsea in 2017,  as the club’s most successful captain.

Aged 36 years and 159 days, Terry’s goal against Watford in his penultimate game at the club in 2017 was a great sendoff to a stunning career at Stamford Bridge where he won it all!

4. Mal Donaghy (36 Years, 167 Days)

Mal Donaghy, a defender from Northern Ireland, comes next. He is the one player on the list that cannot be classed as a Chelsea legend. Although his goal did come in a scintillating 4-3 victory over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

3. Gianfranco Zola (36 Years, 290 Days)

Gianfranco Zola, Chelsea in 1996 and quickly became a fan favourite for his skill and flair. In his seven-year stint, Zola helped the Blues win two FA Cups, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, and a League Cup. Renowned for his creative playmaking and free-kick expertise, Zola scored 80 goals in 312 appearances. He departed in 2003, etching his name as a Chelsea legend and one of the Premier League’s most gifted imports.

His final goal at 36 years and 290 days was against Everton in 2003. He left at the end of the season but it was obvious that he still had a couple of years left at the top level.

2. Didier Drogba (37 Years, 49 Days)

Didier Drogba, the Ivorian striker, joined Chelsea in 2004 and rapidly became a key figure in the club’s golden era.

His powerful style and clutch performances led to four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, and a decisive role in Chelsea’s first UEFA Champions League triumph in 2012.

Didier Drogba’s last goal for the club was set to be in the Champions League Final in 2012 when his first spell ended. After time in Turkey he returned to the Bridge under Jose Mourinho for a final swansong. Whilst not as prolific in his second spell he scored is final goal for Chelsea The  against Leicester City in 2015.

1. Thiago Silva – The Ageless Warrior (39 Years, 51 Days)*

To Thiago Silva age is just a number, after joining the club in 2020 he has shown consistent age-defying form that has seen him win the Champions League and be voted the club’s Player of The Year Award for 2022-2023.

So far he has made 94 appearances and scored six goals.

Despite his age, Silva’s remarkable ability to perform at the highest level sets him apart. His goal against Manchester City at 39 years and 51 days old wasn’t just a goal; it was a testament to his enduring class and fitness. Silva continues to show the passion of someone twenty years younger.

Remembering The 1994 Chelsea vs Luton FA Cup Semi-Final

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

To celebrate Luton’s promotion to the Premier League we thought we would remember the most iconic game featuring the Hatters.

The 1994 Chelsea vs Luton FA Cup semi-final was a clash of two clubs about to go on two entirely different trajectories. Chelsea getting to Wembley was rare back in the 1990’s and it was the first time Chelsea had looked capable of winning the FA Cup in decades.

So, as we look back at that memorable 1994 FA Cup semi-final, join us in revisiting a piece of Chelsea history that shaped the club’s identity and was a key marker in the club’s rebirth that culminated in winning the Champions League in 2012.

Although Chelsea went on to lose the 1994 FA Cup final it was a key part of our transformation and a memorable day for the author as it was my first time at Wembley to watch Chelsea aged just 7.

Under the stewardship of manager Glenn Hoddle, the Blues had demonstrated a brand of football that was effective and engaging to watch. Hoddle, a former England international, had instilled a sense of tactical discipline and creative freedom in the squad and setting the scene for the arrival of stars such as Ruud Guillit and Gianluca Vialli.

Luton Town, under the management of David Pleat who was in the stands for the Playoff final, were the underdogs but could not be underestimated. .

Chelsea Starting Line Up

The Chelsea starting lineup for the match boasted a balanced mix of defensive solidity and offensive prowess.

Chelsea XI:Dmitri Kharine, Erland Johnsen, Jakob Kjeldberg, Frank Sinclair, Steve Clarke, Eddie Newton, Dennis Wise, Craig Burley (Darren Barnard), Gavin Peacock, Tony Cascarino, John Spencer

Luton Line Up – Whilst we won’t list the entire team, the opposition featured former Chelsea legend Kerry Dixon!

First Half

From the first whistle, Chelsea came out of the blocks like a team on a mission. Their display of power and pace showed who was boss, both on the pitch and in the aerial duels. Barely into the 13th minute, a pivotal scene marked the beginning of a long afternoon for Luton. Tony Cascarino, Chelsea’s aerial powerhouse, directed a long-range free-kick from Frank Sinclair towards John Spencer, who slid the ball to Gavin Peacock. With a swift left-footed strike from just 10 yards out, Peacock made no mistake in finding the back of the net.

Despite Luton’s attempts to keep their cool and keep the ball moving, Chelsea’s staunch defence didn’t give them much room to breathe, let alone progress into dangerous territories. Their only real threat in the first half came from a shot by Kerry Dixon, which Chelsea’s goalie, Dmitri Kharin, collected with ease.

Second Half

The second half saw Chelsea pick up from where they left off, with another key header from Cascarino just three minutes in. An exchange between Peacock and Spencer concluded with Peacock slotting the ball past Luton’s goalkeeper, Jurgen Sommer, near the penalty spot, extending Chelsea’s lead to 2-0.

Despite Luton’s best efforts, they found it hard to break through Chelsea’s rock-solid defence led by Erland Johnsen and Jakob Kjeldbjerg. With the Blues’ defence on lock-down, Luton found themselves stranded in their attempts to make a comeback.

The match’s closing stages saw a commendable one-handed save from Sommer, preventing Peacock from bagging a hat-trick, but it was too little too late. The final whistle confirmed Chelsea’s well-earned 2-0 victory.

Post-match, managers from both sides were unanimous in acknowledging Chelsea’s supremacy. Glenn Hoddle praised the team’s defensive resilience and the crucial goals that made the difference. He gave Peacock, Eddie Newton, John Spencer, and Dennis Wise a special nod for their outstanding performances.

History Of Why Chelsea Wear Blue

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Blue is synonymous with Chelsea Football Club; the iconic royal blue is central to our folklore, flags, songs, chants and kits.

Let’s look at the history of why Chelsea wear blue, the choice of colour and how it has come to represent the club’s spirit.

Why Chelsea Wear Blue

Chelsea have been wearing blue since our inception in 1905.

Chelsea’s adoption of the colour blue was influenced by its historical connections to the British monarchy and the local aristocracy. 

The land around Stamford Bridge was built on land once owned by the Earl of Cadogan. The Cadogan family’s coat of arms featured blue and the famous lion found on the modern club badge.

These combined factors explain why Chelsea chose Blue.

Blue Is The Colour

For Chelsea supporters, the colour blue is more than just a visual representation of their club; it embodies our passion, loyalty, and unity. 

As part of Chelsea’s 1972 League Cup Final run the song “Blue is The Colour” was released and despite losing the game, this tune became the official anthem of Chelsea Football Club.

Chelsea Blue Over The Years

Chelsea’s blue kit has evolved in terms of design and shade over the years. 

From the early years, the club’s kit featured a lighter blue shade known as Eton blue, derived from the prestigious Eton College, an independent boarding school in Berkshire, England. 

In the 1950s, under the management of championship-winning manager Ted Drake, Chelsea switched to a darker shade of blue known as Royal Blue. 

The change in colour was part of a broader rebranding effort to modernise the club and foster a more professional image. 

During this period, the club also redesigned its crest, incorporating the Cadogan lion rampant, a symbol of strength and courage, which remains a core part of Chelsea’s identity today.

Whilst the shade and design may change slightly from year to year, when it comes to Chelsea Blue will always be the colour!

 

 

Club With Most Premier League Manager Changes Will Surprise You

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

Since the Premier League started in 1992 there have been more than 240 managers. The club to have had the most managers is Newcastle United with current manager Steve Bruce the 23rd manager to take charge of the Geordies during the Premier League era.

We were surprised when we saw that it was Newcastle with most managers. It does make sense though a yo-yo history in the league and high expectations from fans and ownership make high manager turnover inevitable.

Given our record with managers, I thought we would top the list. We could reclaim our spot at the top of this hall of shame as we are tied for 2nd in the list just one behind Newcastle.

Frank Lampard is our 22nd manager during the Premier League era if you include caretakers such as Ray Wilkins and Graham Rix who each had temporary roles in charge for a game or two between permanent managers.

Chelsea are currently tied in second with Spurs who are managed by Jose Mourinho who has managed the Blues twice, this list counts every managerial change so Mourinho counts as 2 for Chelsea. Also the clubs have both had Andre Villas-Boas as manager in recent years.

Let’s hope our number does not move for a long time and that the Mourinho magic fails to materialise and we move down the list.

 

Chelsea First Club To SACK Manager In Premier League Era

By Chelsea FC History2 Comments

In February 1993 Chelsea sacked Ian Porterfield making Chelsea the first club to sack a manager in Premier League history.

Porterfield was the manager for the admin’s first-ever Chelsea game a 3-2 defeat after being 2-nil up which characterised the inconsistent nature of the Blues during this era.

His sacking came after a bright start to the season and he was replaced at the end of the season by Chelsea FA Cup-winning legend David Webb. Webb took the Blues on a seven-game unbeaten run to stave off the threat of relegation and further enhance his legendary reputation among Chelsea fans.

Changes In Managerial Lifecycle 

The managerial lifecycle is a lot different now than it was back in 1993.

It is unfathomable to think in the modern league that the first manager to be sacked would not meet their fate until February. Let alone that they would be the only manager to be sacked before the season’s end.

The fact Chelsea were the first club to sack a manager would not surprise someone who was more familiar with the managerial policies of Roman Abramovich.

We live in a results-driven league where the financial stakes of success and failure have never been higher. The money in the game today may have been triggered by the foundation of the Premier League but it has exploded beyond recognition compared the early 90’s.

This, the media and fan opinion explosion plus a number of other factors mean that owners are less patient and more trigger happy when a poor run of form sees their investment slide

Whilst being the first club to sack a manager is a dubious honour, we are not the club to have had the most managers during the Premier League era (for now)

You can find out who tops the list in our related article here.

The Spurs Legend Who Was Chelsea’s Worst Manager

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Results are everything in football and expectations in modern times mean even a few bad games can see a Chelsea manager given the boot. However modern-day managers would never get the time afforded to the club’s least successful manager of all time.

Arguably the worst Chelsea manager in terms of results was Danny Blanchflower who managed the club between December 1978 and September 1979.

Who Was Danny Blanchflower

Danny Blanchflower was one of the greatest footballers of his generation.

Playing in the 50’s and 60’s, he had a glittering playing career with bitter rivals Spurs and went on to be a hugely popular football writer.

He won the double in 1960/1961 and the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1963 and was named as one of the 1958 World Cup All-Stars.

“The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom.” – Danny Blanchflower

Despite his status as a Spurs legend, his time at Chelsea was his only job as a manager. Having been passed over for the Spurs job whilst working there as a coach.

Danny Blanchflower Worst Chelsea Manager

The case for Blanchflower being the club’s worst manager are pretty compelling

  • Won just 5 of his 32 games in charge (16%)
  • Got relegated and finished bottom of the league
  • Saw club legends Ray Wilkins and Peter Bonetti leave during his reign

When compared to what gets you sacked in the modern era at Stamford Bridge it really puts into perspective how the game and the club have changed.

So whilst Blanchflower should be remembered as one of the greats of the game as a player, he also is arguably the worst Chelsea manager in terms of results. Which to Spurs fans may actually be a badge of honour for a club legend.

RIP Ray Wilkins – Chelsea Legend On & Off The Pitch Dies

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It is with great sadness that we learned that Ray Wilkins has died after suffering a heart attack recently.

The former Chelsea captain, caretaker, assistant manager and coach lived through some of the clubs hardest times as a player and some of the most glorious times as part of the coaching team.

He will be fondly remembered as a Chelsea legend by fans young and old for his contribution to the history of our great club.

Ray Wilkins Chelsea Captain

To my father’s generation, he is a legend on the pitch having come through the Chelsea academy to the first team at a time when the golden Chelsea generation of the early seventies was fading away and austerity and struggle were the new club order.

He made his debut at 17 and became captain of the team at just 18 years old. He became the heart of the team of the mid to late 70’s battling relegation and winning promotion with the club.

It was with great reluctance that mounting debts saw Wilkins leave Stamford Bridge as a player in 1979 and go on to play for Manchester United.

Ray Wilkins Chelsea Assistant Manager

To my generation, Ray Wilkins will be remembered for his role as a coach and assistant manager. He was a coach during the reign of Gianluca Vialli and when he was sacked was caretaker manager for just one game (that he won).

A role he would also fill when Luis Felipe Scolari was sacked that also saw him victorious making him arguably the most successful manager in our history.

Wilkins will most be remembered for his coaching during the time under Carlo Ancelotti, where he was acknowledged by the Italian as a key cog in the double winning season of 2009-2010.

Unfortunately, something behind the scenes happened and he was unceremoniously cast aside and sacked by the club (reportedly without the consent of Ancelotti). This highlighted his importance to the team that never really recovered leading to the sacking of Ancelotti in the summer.

A true gentleman he was a respected member of the football community with an unparalleled understanding of the game.

He will truly be missed. RIP Ray Wilkins 1956 – 2018

Three Chelsea Midfielders Who Made Horrible Career Gambles

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

Playing for Chelsea Football Club is a draw that many young footballers have found difficult to resist in recent years.

The alluring combination of fame, money and trophies has been hard to resist.

Succeed like Gary Cahill and you can go from fighting against relegation one minute to Champion of Europe and FA Cup winner the next.

However, the dream can sour fairly quickly at a club as big as Chelsea with starlets being sucked into a world of pressure, loans and ultimately rejection.

Scott Parker

Before coming to Chelsea Scott Parker was a big fish in a little pond at Charlton.  Signed for 10 million pounds in 2003 he never really got a chance to prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

He made just 15 Premier League appearances for the Blues over three years as he struggled to get ahead of club legends Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard in the starting XI. He was sold to Newcastle in 2005 and recovered quickly to become one of the most respected midfielders outside of the Premier League elite.

Chelsea fans had a lot of time for Parker, but he never quite made it.

Steve Sidwell

Like Parker, Sidwell signed for Chelsea after impressing at a club outside of the top six. Sidwell joined from Reading in 2007 after leading the Royals to the Premier League with some impressive performances.

Sidwell like Parker before him could not stake a claim in a talent-filled midfield. After one season where he made a respectable 25 appearances, Sidwell was sold to Aston Villa where like Parker he re-established his reputation.

Marko Marin

Marko Marin, who was dubbed as the ‘German Messi’ of his time, had a lot of expectations on his shoulders. He was signed to Chelsea in 2012 after two impressive seasons playing with Werder Bremen. Joining Chelsea Football Club was a dream come true for the German superstar, it eventually turned from a pleasant dream to a train wreck of a nightmare as bad turned to worse as injuries throughout the season plagued him and eventually granted him only six appearances and scoring one goal for the Club.

Overcome with self-guilt and disappointment, the German midfielder left for Olympiakos in 2016 to save face from losing a place in his dream team.

Roman Abramovich Documentary – Decade Of Success

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

Despite the ups and downs, the Abramovich era has been the greatest in the clubs history so we thought we would share this Roman Abramovich documentary.

The documentary covers the first decade of his time at the club. We have come a long way since he got the keys to the Bridge.

It will serve as a perfect nostalgia creator for fans that have lived and breathed the successes and failures of the club in recent years. If you have had a tough day than this is the perfect remedy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0u5HwkwcJao

What The Abramovich Documentary Covers

This short 25-minute documentary looks at the run-up to his arrival and the impact he had, particularly the arrival of Mourinho and the changes that his first managerial change had on the Blues.

It includes interviews with Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Joe Cole and others chronicling the run to our first title, the ghost goal and winning the Premier League.

It provides a really interesting summary of the key moments over the first thirteen years at Stamford Bridge.

Including

  • The ghost goal
  • The sacking of Mourinho
  • Moscow Champions League Final
  • Anders Frisk Barcelona Semi-Final
  • Arrival and departure of Scolari
  • Hiddink winning the FA Cup
  • AVB getting the sack and Roberto Di Matteo arriving
  • Coming back against Napoli
  • Beating Barcelona in the Semi-Final
  • Nearly winning the Champions League in Moscow
  • Unpopular spell of Rafael Benitez
  • Return of Jose Mourinho

It really is a highlight reel of a glorious period in the clubs history. It shows a Champions League, Europa League and Premier League success, not forgetting the FA Cup and League Cups along the way.

It stops short of the 2015 title and the sacking of Jose Mourinho, which is nice as it means that it does not destroy his legacy. Unlike his current time taking shots at the club as manager of Manchester United.

The first Abramovich decade was been incredible the next decade looks like it will match up.

 

Chance For 29 Year Old Chelsea Relegation Play-Off Vengeance Against Middlesbrough

By Chelsea FC HistoryNo Comments

Tonight Blues fans have a chance to get revenge for a Chelsea Relegation play-off defeat by Middlesbrough 29 years ago.

A victory tonight will see Chelsea move within one win of the Premier League title. It will also seal the fate of Middlesbrough, who will be relegated back to the Championship after a valiant season in the Premier League.

This will be a reverse of the impact of defeat 29 years ago that gives Chelsea a unique record. Chelsea are the only team in the history of the English top flight to be relegated via a promotion/relegation play-off.

To Chelsea fans old enough to remember the 80’s tonight’s the ability to relegate Middlesbrough may be the opportunity to get vengeance for 29-year-old scars.

In truth, most Chelsea fans will get little pleasure from but there will certainly be some at Stamford Bridge that will think back to how much things have changed.

Since this relegation Chelsea have only looked up, whereas Middlesbrough has had their share of ups and downs. Since this game, Chelsea have defeated Middlesbrough in two domestic cup final. Lifting the FA Cup in 1997 and the League Cup in 1998.

 

So how did the Chelsea relegation play-off relegation come to pass?

Chelsea Relegation Play-Off Story

In the 1987/1988 season, Chelsea finished 18th, one place above the automatic relegation places. However, for the first and only time in the history of the English Football League there was a promotion/relegation play-off.

The 18th positioned team in the top division entered a four-team playoff process with the teams that finished 3rd-5th in the division below.

Chelsea overcame fifth-placed Blackburn in a semi-final to set up a Final against tonight’s opponents Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough had some household names of the 1990’s emerging in their team, including Gary Pallister, Colin Cooper and Tony Mowbray and completed a comeback fairytale having gone bankrupt just two years before.

The two-legged final was a bitterly fought scrap for survival with Chelsea losing in Middlesbrough 2-0 and only managing a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

As it was the 80’s a mass brawl broke out