Chelsea, Chelsea! For the west London club, the 2000s brought with them a big injection of cash – and several trophies too. Before the days of Todd Boehly’s ownership when the Blues spent wild amounts on talent, the Blues, err, spent wild amounts on talent under Roman Abramovich’s stewardship. To be fair, the transformation of the Blues’ fortunes were on track before the Russian oligarch arrived; the late 1990s seeing the club move away from mid-table “meh” to pose some questions to the frontrunners. In came Abramovich and that potential became fulfilled.
Boro’ hadn’t actually met the Blues in competitive action when we first put this profile together. We did so because we’d welcome their U21s to the Lamex for a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2024-5 League One campaign.
The club aren’t the oldest in London by any stretch. In some regards, a formation year of 1905 is relatively late when stacked up against some of their peers. Nonetheless, they immediately became a hit in English football. Well, maybe not in trophy terms to begin with. But, in the first 20 years of the 20th century, the Blues boasted the highest crowds in the English pyramid in 10 separate campaigns. Honours on the pitch eluded them for a while, however. It wouldn’t be until 1955 when they won their first league title.
After that, Chelsea would impose themselves further on English football – not consistently, not regularly, but enough to be regarded as one of the trendier sides. There was an FA Cup win in 1970 and a European Cup Winners’ Cup title in 1971. Indeed, that first continental trophy helped them to become one of only five clubs – and the only English one – to win all three pre-1999 main European club competitions. And more European trophies followed as we came into the current century (that’s the 21st, if you’re reading this in 2100).
How to get to Chelsea – Travel Information – Distance: 34 miles
By Road
It’ll be a brave person who takes on the drive to Chelsea. But, if that sounds like you, the most direct route tends to be the quickest. And it starts by going south on the A1(M) into the smoke; continuing onto Barnet By-Pass/Watford Way where the A1 and M1 meet. Follow the A41 until you reach the A406 North Circular Road, at which point you’re taking the westbound carriageway at Brent Cross towards Heathrow.
As you reach Neasden, turn left onto Dog Lane. Quickly turn right onto Lansdowne Grove and then right again onto Neasden Lane (B453). At the roundabout in half a mile, take the second exit for the A407 and then continue on for the A404. After a further mile, turn right onto Scrubs Lane (A219) and then turn left onto the A40 slip road.
This will bring you to the Westway roundabout. Here, take the second exit for the southbound A3220. You’ll follow this for just over three miles until you reach the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. Turn right onto the A304 to come around the bottom of Brompton Cemetery. The ground will shortly be on the right.
The parking opportunities in the vicinity are slim pickings and we really would advise you leave the car at a station (or otherwise). Public transport is the way to go.
By Rail
Station: FULHAM BROADWAY
Services to: BLACKFRIARS (for STEVENAGE)
Fulham Broadway is your best bet as the nearest London Underground is concerned, even if it is a bit of a slog out of Blackfriars – your Thameslink connection. The walk to the ground is barely 10 minutes on the other side. Simply turn left outside of the shopping complex that forms the ground level entrance to the station. The ground will show itself very clearly on the left as you make your way along the path.
