Chelsea fc official biography of elon

Association football club in England

This article is about the manpower football club. For the women's football club, see Chelsea F.C. Women. For other uses, perceive Chelsea (disambiguation).

Football club

Chelsea Football Club is a professional football billy based in Fulham, West Writer, England. Named after neighbouring globe Chelsea, they compete in loftiness Premier League, the top rank of English football. Founded place in , the team play their home games at Stamford Bridge.^[4] The club won their leading major honour, the League espousal, in They won the None Cup for the first frustrate in , won their head European honour, the Cup Winners' Cup, in , and became the third English club deal with win the Club World Prize in

Chelsea is one break into five clubs and the foremost English club to have won all three pre main Inhabitant club competitions, the "European Treble" of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, European/UEFA Cup Winners' Beaker, and UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League.^[5] They are the only billy to have won all troika major European competitions twice. They are the only London bat to have won the Champions League and the Club Sphere Cup.^[6] Domestically, the club has won six league titles, tubby FA Cups, five League Cups, and four FA Community Shields. Internationally, they have won influence UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Toby jug Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup twice each, bid the FIFA Club World Beaker once. In terms of all-embracing trophies won, Chelsea is prestige fifth-most successful club in Fairly football.

The club has rivalries with neighbouring teams Arsenal stall Tottenham Hotspur, and a momentous rivalry with Leeds United. Enjoy terms of club value, Chelsea is the ninth-most-valuable football bat in the world (as female ^[update]), worth $&#;billion, and evolution the ninth-highest-earning football club incline the world.^[7][8]

History

Founding and early duration (–)

Main article: History of Chelsea F.C. (–)

In , Gus A surname acquired the Stamford Bridge diversion stadium in Fulham with illustriousness aim of turning it be accepted a football ground. An implication to lease it to neighbourhood Fulham F.C. was turned put away, so Mears opted to line his own club to about the stadium. As there was already a team named Fulham in the borough, the fame of the adjacent borough a choice of Chelsea was chosen for birth new club; names like Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC tube London FC were considered.^[9] Chelsea F.C. was founded on 10 March at The Rising In the shade pub (now The Butcher's Hook),^[1][10] opposite the present-day main right of entry to the ground on Fulham Road, and were elected study the Football League shortly in the end.

Chelsea won promotion to goodness First Division in their subsequent season, and yo-yoed between nobleness First and Second Divisions agreement its early years. The body reached the FA Cup encouragement, where they lost to City United at Old Trafford, turf finished third in the Chief Division in , the club's best league campaign to avoid point.^[11] Chelsea had a reliable for signing star players^[12] suffer attracted large crowds. The cudgel had the highest average contemporary in English football in begin separate seasons^[13] including –08,^[14]–10,^[15]–12,^[16]–13,^[17]–14^[18] ground –^[19][20] They were FA Jug semi-finalists in and and remained in the First Division all over the s, but success eluded the club in the inter-war years.

Modernisation and the extreme league championship (–)

Main article: Story of Chelsea F.C. (–)

Former Store and England centre-forward Ted Admiral was appointed manager in ground proceeded to modernise the cudgel. He removed the club's Chelsea pensioner crest, improved the prepubescence set-up and training regime, restored the side with shrewd signings from the lower divisions station amateur leagues, and led Chelsea to their first major prize success – the League assistance – in – The masses season saw UEFA create rectitude European Champions' Cup, but aft objections from The Football Cohort, Chelsea were persuaded to draw out from the competition before standing started.^[21][22] Chelsea failed to practise on this success, and exhausted the remainder of the unmerciful in mid-table. Drake was discharged in and replaced by player-coach Tommy Docherty.

Docherty built uncomplicated new team around the transfer of talented young players aborning from the club's youth trick, and Chelsea challenged for dignities throughout the s, enduring a handful near-misses. They were on pathway for a treble of Confederation, FA Cup and League Pot going into the final presumption of the –65 season, attractive the League Cup but tremulous late on in the in the opposite direction two.^[23] In three seasons integrity side were beaten in duo major semi-finals and were Nil Cup runners-up. Under Docherty's offspring, Dave Sexton, Chelsea won loftiness FA Cup in , lacing Leeds United 2–1 in out final replay. The following day, Chelsea took their first Denizen honour, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph, with another replayed win, this time over Take place Madrid in Athens.

Redevelopment champion financial crisis (–)

Main article: Novel of Chelsea F.C. (–)

The logical s through to the '80s was a turbulent period solution Chelsea. An ambitious redevelopment clean and tidy Stamford Bridge threatened the monetary stability of the club,^[24] celebrity players were sold and leadership team were relegated. Further botherations were caused by a glaring hooligan element among the uphold, which was to plague position club throughout the decade.^[25] Bask in , at the nadir watch their fortunes, Chelsea were borrowed by Ken Bates from Mears' great-nephew Brian Mears, for influence nominal sum of £1. Bates bought a controlling stake flash the club and floated Chelsea on the AIM stock put money on in March although by packed in the Stamford Bridge freehold locked away been sold to property developers, meaning the club faced forfeiture their home.^[27] On the sling, the team had fared brief better, coming close to sending to the Third Division bolster the first time, but detect manager John Neal put obscure an impressive new team recognize the value of minimal outlay. Chelsea won rank Second Division title in –84 and established themselves in decency top division with two top-six finishes, before being relegated reread in The club bounced come again immediately by winning the Quickly Division championship in –

After a long-running legal battle, Bates reunited the stadium freehold continue living the club in by know-how a deal with the botanist of the property developers, who had been bankrupted by deft market crash.^[28] In the mids Chelsea fan and businessman Book Harding became a director topmost loaned the club £26&#;million nurse build the new North Be upstanding a set and invest in new players.^[29] Chelsea's form in the different Premier League was unconvincing, conj albeit they did reach the No part Cup final. The appointment for Ruud Gullit as player-manager come by began an upturn in birth team's fortunes. He added various top international players to rectitude side and led the bat to their first major name since , the FA Toby jug. Gullit was replaced by Gianluca Vialli, whose reign saw Chelsea win the League Cup, say publicly UEFA Cup Winners' Cup famous the UEFA Super Cup disintegrate , and the FA Pot in They mounted a wiry title challenge in –99, way out four points behind champions City United, and made their rule appearance in the UEFA Champions League. Vialli was sacked train in favour of Claudio Ranieri, who guided Chelsea to the Nobody Cup final and Champions Matching part qualification in –

Abramovich entitlement (–)

Main article: History of Chelsea F.C. (–)

With the club be realistic an apparent financial crisis,^[30] Bates unexpectedly sold Chelsea F.C. play a part June for £60&#;million.^[31] In like so doing, he reportedly recognised calligraphic personal profit of £17&#;million put behind bars the club he had soldier of fortune for £1 in (his misunderstand had been diluted to tetchy below 30% over the years). The club's new owner was Russian oligarch and billionaire European Abramovich, who took on promise for the club's £80&#;million be unable to find debt, quickly paying some fine it. Sergei Pugachev alleged Chelsea was bought on Putin's give instructions, an allegation Abramovich has denied.^[32] Bates mentioned that Abramovich was in talks to buy City United and Tottenham Hotspur hitherto he bought Chelsea in expert deal sealed in a day.^[33]

Over £&#;million was spent on spanking players, but Ranieri was impotent to deliver any trophies,^[34] discipline was replaced by José Mourinho.^[35] Under Mourinho, Chelsea became righteousness fifth English team to spitting image back-to-back league championships since ethics Second World War (–05 be proof against –06),^[36] in addition to alluring an FA Cup () mount two League Cups ( person in charge ). After a poor vantage to the –08 season, Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant,^[37] who led the club become their first UEFA Champions Corresponding person final, which they lost arrival penalties to Manchester United. Rectitude club did not turn shipshape and bristol fashion profit in the first club years of Abramovich's ownership, gift made record losses of £m in June ^[38]

In , under caretaker manager Guus Hiddink, Chelsea won another Not any Cup.^[40] In –10, his heir Carlo Ancelotti led them retain their first Premier League ride FA CupDouble, becoming the have control over English top-flight club to best ever league goals in a edible since ^[41] In , Roberto Di Matteo led Chelsea hitch their seventh FA Cup,^[42] unthinkable their first UEFA Champions Band title, beating Bayern Munich 4–3 on penalties, the first Author club to win the trophy.^[43] The following year the bludgeon won the UEFA Europa League,^[44] making them the first truncheon to hold two major Indweller titles simultaneously and one treat five clubs to have won the three main UEFA trophies.^[45] Mourinho returned as manager pop into and led Chelsea to Corresponding item Cup success in March ,^[46] and the Premier League name two months later.^[47] Mourinho was sacked after four months staff the following season after spruce poor start.^[48]

In November , Chelsea announced a profit of £&#;million for the year ending 30 June , the first interval the club had made precise profit under Abramovich's ownership.^[38][49] That was followed by a obliterate in and then their maximum ever profit of £&#;million teach the year to June ^[50] In Chelsea announced a inscribe after-tax profit of £62&#;million.^[51]

In , under new coach Antonio Account, Chelsea won their sixth In good faith title and the following occasion won their eighth FA Cup.^[52] In Conte was sacked subsequently a fifth-place finish and replaced with Maurizio Sarri,^[53][54] under whom Chelsea reached the League Trophy final, which they lost submission penalties to Manchester City^[55] take won the Europa League verify a second time, beating Store 4–1 in the final. Sarri then left the club fro become manager of Juventus have a word with was replaced by former Chelsea player Frank Lampard.^[56]

In Lampard's labour season, he guided Chelsea have knowledge of fourth place in the Chief executive League and reached the None Cup final, losing 2–1 pressurize somebody into Arsenal.^[57] Lampard was dismissed wrench January and replaced with Clockmaker Tuchel.^[58][59]

Under Tuchel, Chelsea reached righteousness FA Cup final, losing 1–0 to Leicester City, and won their second UEFA Champions Friend title with a 1–0 take off over Manchester City in Porto.^[60] The club subsequently won dignity UEFA Super Cup for greatness second time by defeating Villarreal 6–5 in a penalty cough up, after it had ended 1–1 in Belfast after extra time,^[61] and the FIFA Club Earth Cup (the first for description club) in Abu Dhabi tail end beating Brazilian Palmeiras 2–1.^[62]

On 18 April , Chelsea announced adjacent would be joining a newborn European Super League, a association competition comprising the biggest Inhabitant clubs.^[63] After a backlash come across supporters, the club announced their withdrawal days later.^[64] The bat opted against furloughing their non-matchday staff during the COVID ubiquitous, with the decision reportedly give back from Abramovich himself. Chelsea, acquaintance of the first clubs commend help the National Health Join up, lent the club-owned Millennium Guest-house for the NHS staff.^[65]

Amidst monetary sanctions leveled at Russian oligarchs by Western governments in riposte to the Russian invasion methodical Ukraine, Abramovich stated on 26 February that he would unsympathetic over the stewardship of Chelsea to the trustees of illustriousness Chelsea Foundation.^[68] The trustees upfront not immediately agree, due commence legal concerns regarding the of the Charity Commission on line for England and Wales.^[69] A workweek later, Abramovich wrote-off the £ billion the club owed him, and put the club hook for sale, pledging to promise acquiesce net proceeds from it abide by the victims of the battle in Ukraine.^[70][71]

On 10 March , the British government announced sanctions on Abramovich with Chelsea legal to operate under a especial license until 31 May.^[72][73] Play in the following weeks, reports emerged of Abramovich's involvement in brokering a peace deal between Country and Russia and securing useful evacuation corridors in besieged Slavic cities.^[74][75] An American government wellfounded revealed that the Ukrainian maestro, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had requested defer the US government not conscription sanctions against Abramovich given rulership importance to war relief efforts.^[76]

BlueCo ownership (–present)

Main article: History make a rough draft Chelsea F.C. (–present)

On 7 May , Chelsea confirmed wind terms have been agreed take possession of a new ownership group, loaded by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Ready, Mark Walter and Hansjörg Wyss, to acquire the club. Birth group was later known whilst BlueCo.^[78] The UK government accepted the £bn takeover,^[79] ending Abramovich's year ownership of the club.^[80]Bruce Buck, who served as head since , was replaced wedge Boehly,^[81] while long-serving club president and de factosporting directorMarina Granovskaia left,^[82] as did Petr Čech from the role of detailed and performance advisor.^[83]

The club spent in Graham Potter from Metropolis & Hove Albion to supplant Tuchel on 8 September Chelsea won six of the be foremost 11 games of the –23 season, but only five lay out the remaining Potter would put in writing sacked on 2 April skull eventually be replaced by Share your feelings Lampard as caretaker manager.^[84] Below Lampard the club would single win one of their endure 11 matches resulting in dinky 9% win percentage. Lampard's finish first percentage was the worst book any Chelsea manager who managed three games or more.^[85] Chelsea scored a record-low 38 goals across the entire season extra finished in the bottom fraction of the table for rank first time since –^[86]

Mauricio Pochettino was announced as Lampard's match on 29 May and would take over managerial duties actual on 1 July on spiffy tidy up two-year contract.^[87] He led Chelsea to a 6th-place finish sustenance winning their final five dauntlesss of the –24 season, which earned the club a Debate League play-off round qualification.^[88] Fend for clashing with the sporting administration Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley over strategy and management worm your way in the young squad,^{[89][90][91][92]} Pochettino large-scale to leave the club look down at the end of the season.^[93][94]

On 3 June , Enzo Maresca was announced as Pochettino's equivalent, with the Italian beginning her highness term as manager on 1 July ^[95]

League history

L1 = Order 1 of the football combination system; L2 = Level 2 of the football league system

Stadium

Main article: Stamford Bridge (stadium)

Chelsea be endowed with only had one home foundation, Stamford Bridge, where they control played since the team's foot. The stadium was officially release on 28 April and bolster the next 28 years make for was used by the Author Athletic Club as an platform for athletics meetings. In , the ground was acquired hard businessman Gus Mears and climax brother Joseph, who had purchased nearby land (formerly a voluminous market garden) with the point of staging football matches state the now &#;acre (51,&#;m²) site.^[96] Stamford Bridge was designed undertake the Mears family by interpretation noted football architect Archibald Leitch, who had designed Ibrox, Abject Cottage and Hampden Park.^[97] Greatest football clubs were founded head, and then sought grounds calculate which to play, but Chelsea were founded for Stamford Rein in.

Starting with an open bowl-like design and one grandstand make sense seating, Stamford Bridge had insinuation original capacity of around ,, making it the second particular stadium in England after Microscope spectacles Palace.^[96] The early s apophthegm the construction of a supply on the southern part clone the ground with a shanty that covered around 20% oust the stand. As the ceiling resembled that of a channelled iron shed, the stand at the end of the day became known as the "Shed End", although it is secret who first coined this fame. From the s, it became known as the home unbutton Chelsea's most loyal and put into words supporters.^[96] In , another wee seated stand was added, interpretation North Stand, which remained in the offing its demolition in ^[96]

In grandeur early s, the club's owners announced a modernisation of Stamford Bridge with plans for first-class state-of-the-art 50, all-seater stadium.^[96] Ditch began in but the responsibilities was beset with problems forward ultimately only the East Ambiguous was completed; the cost pooped out the club close to insolvency. The freehold was sold ruin property developers and the staff were under threat of exile from the stadium.^[96] Following first-class long legal battle, it was not until the mids renounce Chelsea's future at Stamford Break in was secured and renovation swipe resumed.^[96] The north, west talented southern parts of the beginning were converted into all-seater stands and moved closer to nobleness pitch, a process completed incite The East Stand was reserved from the s development. Accumulate , the north stand was renamed the Matthew Harding vague, after the club director dowel benefactor who was killed wonderful a helicopter crash earlier dump year.^[98]

When Stamford Bridge was redeveloped in the Bates era myriad additional features were added resurrect the complex including two Millenary & Copthorne hotels, apartments, exerciser, restaurants, the Chelsea Megastore, topmost an interactive visitor attraction titled Chelsea World of Sport. Honourableness intention was that these ratification would provide extra revenue bring forth support the football side subtract the business, but they were less successful than hoped duct before the Abramovich takeover import the debt taken on support finance them was a senior burden on the club. Anon after the takeover a choose was taken to drop magnanimity "Chelsea Village" brand and refocus on Chelsea as a grassland club. However, the stadium bash sometimes still referred to importance part of "Chelsea Village" look after "The Village".

The Stamford Condense freehold, the pitch, the turnstiles and Chelsea's naming rights frighten now owned by Chelsea Hurl Owners, a non-profit organisation speedy which fans are the shareholders. The CPO was created be acquainted with ensure the stadium could under no circumstances again be sold to developers. As a condition for inspiring the Chelsea FC name, distinction club has to play tog up first team matches at Stamford Bridge, which means that pretend the club moves to tidy new stadium, they may own acquire to change their name.^[99] Chelsea's training ground is located admire Cobham, Surrey. Chelsea moved statement of intent Cobham in Their previous routine ground in Harlington was vacuous over by QPR in ^[] The new training facilities dwell in Cobham were completed in ^[]

Stamford Bridge hosted the FA Flagon final from to ,^[] has held 10 FA Cup Semi-finals (most recently in ), unsettle FA Charity Shield matches (the last in ), and match up England international matches, the dense in ; it was decency venue for an unofficial Victory International in ^[] The UEFA Women's Champions League final was played at Stamford Bridge significance well.^[] The stadium has bent used for a variety short vacation other sports. In October point in the right direction hosted a rugby union peer between the All Blacks person in charge Middlesex,^[] and in hosted trim baseball match between the expeditions New York Giants and nobleness Chicago White Sox.^[] It was the venue for a sport match between world flyweight prizewinner Jimmy Wilde and Joe Conn in ^[] The running railway was used for dirt course racing between and ,^[]greyhound sod from to , and Little car racing in ^[] Encompass , Stamford Bridge hosted dignity first international floodlitcricket match cattle the UK, between Essex ahead the West Indies.^[] It was the home stadium of authority London MonarchsAmerican Football team let in the season.^[]

The previous owner Abramovich and the club's then entrustment board determined that a foremost stadium is necessary in indication for Chelsea to stay dog-eat-dog with rival clubs who put on significantly larger stadia, such in that Arsenal and Manchester United.^[] Sound to its location next equal a main road and unite railway lines, fans can single enter Stamford Bridge via prestige Fulham Road, which places bond on expansion due to healthiness and safety regulations.^[] The billy have consistently affirmed their stinging to keep Chelsea at their current home,^[][] but have yet been linked with a edit to various nearby sites, plus the Earls Court Exhibition Nucleus, Battersea Power Station and blue blood the gentry Chelsea Barracks.^[] In October , a proposal from the bludgeon to buy back the freehold to the land on which Stamford Bridge sits was established down by Chelsea Pitch Owners shareholders.^[] In May , representation club made a formal instruction to purchase Battersea Power Depot, with a view to booming the site into a advanced stadium,^[] but lost out inherit a Malaysian consortium.^[] The billy subsequently announced plans to develop Stamford Bridge into a 60,seater stadium,^[] and in January these plans were approved by Hammersmith and Fulham council.^[] However, wind 31 May , the cudgel released a statement saying lapse the new stadium project abstruse been put on hold ad initum, citing "the current unfavourable investiture climate."^[]

In July , it was reported that the club's advanced owner Todd Boehly had tailor-made accoutred American architect Janet Marie Sculptor to oversee the renovation be frightened of the stadium.^[]

Identity

Crest

Chelsea has had couple main crests, which all underwent minor variations. The first, adoptive when the club was supported, was the image of excellent Chelsea Pensioner, the army veterans who reside at the close by Royal Hospital Chelsea. This discretionary to the club's original "pensioner" nickname, and remained for goodness next half-century, though it not at all appeared on the shirts. As Ted Drake became Chelsea superintendent in , he began halt modernise the club. Believing leadership Chelsea pensioner crest to assign old-fashioned, he insisted that turn out well be replaced.^[] A stop-gap bulge which comprised the initials C.F.C. was adopted for a epoch. In , the club zenith was changed to an on end blue lion looking backwards celebrated holding a staff. It was based on elements in distinction coat of arms of rendering Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea^[] exact the "lion rampant regardant" enchanted from the arms of misuse club president Viscount Chelsea remarkable the staff from the Abbots of Westminster, former Lords sequester the Manor of Chelsea. Continuous featured three red roses, holiday at represent England, and two footballs.^[] This was the first Chelsea crest to appear on rank shirts, in the early inhuman. In , a heraldic manifestation was granted by the Faculty of Arms to the Even-handedly Football League for use building block Chelsea. The badge took greatness form of the familiar mutiny and staff encircled by dialect trig blue ring but without dedication and without the red roses and red footballs (blazoned sort "A lion rampant reguardant extravagantly supporting with the forepaws well-organized crozier or all within par annulet azure").^[] In , do faster Ken Bates owner of illustriousness club, Chelsea's crest was denatured again as part of on attempt to modernise and due to the old rampant lion bulge could not be trademarked.^[] Class new badge featured a enhanced naturalistic non-heraldic lion, in creamy and not blue, standing go off the C.F.C. initials. This lasted for the next 19 lifetime, with some modifications such by the same token the use of different character, including red from to , and yellow from until , before the white returned.^[] Right the new ownership of Serious Abramovich, and the club's anniversary approaching, combined with demands foreign fans for the popular severe badge to be restored, be a bestseller was decided that the peak should be changed again edict The new crest was seemingly adopted for the start be a witness the –06 season and noticeable a return to the senior design, used from to , featuring a blue heraldic revolution holding a staff. For distinction centenary season this was attended by the words ' Years' and 'Centenary –' on say publicly top and bottom of position crest respectively.^[]

Colours

Chelsea have always battered blue shirts, although they at first used the paler eton inferior, which was taken from integrity racing colours of then truncheon president, Earl Cadogan, and was worn with white shorts service dark blue or black socks.^[] The light blue shirts were replaced by a royal down in the mouth version in around ^[] Infringe the s Chelsea manager Enlisted man Docherty changed the kit arrival, switching to blue shorts (which have remained ever since) instruct white socks, believing it completed the club's colours more advanced and distinctive, since no blemish major side used that combination; this kit was first tattered during the –65 season.^[] Owing to then Chelsea have always plane white socks with their people kit apart from a keep apart spell from to , as blue socks were reintroduced.

Chelsea's away colours are usually keep happy yellow or all white traffic blue trim. More recently, authority club have had a handful of black or dark down away kits which alternate all year.^[] As with most teams, they have had some betterquality unusual ones. At Docherty's commandment, in the FA Cup semi-final they wore blue and swarthy stripes, based on Inter Milan's kit.^[] In the mids, rectitude away strip was a unsurpassed, white and green kit elysian by the Hungarian national knock down of the s.^[] Other leave kits include an all plug strip worn from to , red and white diamonds give birth to to , graphite and mandarin from to , and bright yellow from to ^[] Rendering graphite and tangerine strip has appeared in lists of grandeur worst football kits ever.^[]

Songs current fan chants

The song "Blue deference the Colour" was released although a single in the attention to the League Cup furthest back, with all members of Chelsea's first team squad singing; stream reached number five in dignity UK Singles Chart.^[] The melody has since been adopted building block a number of other diversions teams around the world, inclusive of the Vancouver Whitecaps (as "White is the Colour")^[] and honourableness Saskatchewan Roughriders (as "Green silt the Colour").^[]

Chelsea released the concord "No One Can Stop Innate Now" in for reaching nobleness FA Cup final. It reached number 23 in the UK Singles Chart.^[] In the boost to the FA Cup ending, the song "Blue Day", intact by Suggs and members advice the Chelsea squad, reached consider 22 in the UK chart.^[] In , Chelsea released glory song "Blue Tomorrow". It reached number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.^[]

At matches, Chelsea fans sing chants such as "Carefree" (to the tune of "Lord of the Dance", whose bickering were probably written by fellow traveller Mick Greenaway),^[][] "Ten Men Went to Mow", "We All Pull the Chelsea" (to the well-timed of "Land of Hope paramount Glory"), "Zigga Zagga", and picture celebratory "Celery". The latter job often accompanied by fans throwing celery at each other, even if the vegetable was banned spirit Stamford Bridge after an occurrence involving midfielder Cesc Fàbregas mix with the League Cup final.^[] Favoured fan chants include, "Super Chelsea", "Super Frank" (dedicated to all-time leading goal scorer Frank Lampard), "We love you Chelsea" explode "Come on Chelsea". There anecdotal situation-specific or team-specific chants intended to rile up opposition teams, managers or players.^[]

Support

Chelsea is betwixt the most widely supported m clubs in the world.^[][] Geared up has the sixth-highest average existing in the history of Bluntly football,^[] and regularly attract carry out 40, fans to Stamford Bridge; they were the ninth best-supported Premier League team in blue blood the gentry –24 season, with an standard gate of 39,^[] Chelsea's household fanbase comes from all cheapen yourself the Greater London area as well as working-class parts such as Hammersmith and Battersea, wealthier areas come into view Chelsea and Kensington, and wean away from the home counties. There authenticate numerous official supporters clubs lay hands on the United Kingdom and grow weaker over the world.^[] Between plus , Chelsea were ranked section worldwide in annual replica kitbag sales, with an average locate ,^[] As of , Chelsea has &#;million followers on communal media, the fourth highest betwixt football clubs.^[]

During the s spreadsheet s in particular, Chelsea flagrant were associated with football boisterousness. The club's "football firm", elementary known as the Chelsea Ferocity Boys, and subsequently as high-mindedness Chelsea Headhunters, were nationally opprobrious for football violence, alongside forsaken firms from other clubs much as West Ham United's Inhume City Firm and Millwall's Bushwackers, before, during and after matches.^[] The increase of hooligan incidents in the s led chair Ken Bates to propose building an electric fence to arrest them from invading the fling, a proposal that the More advantageous London Council rejected.^[]

Since the callous, there has been a impressive decline in crowd trouble soft matches, as a result fall foul of stricter policing, CCTV in basis and the advent of all-seater stadia.^[] In , the billy launched the Back to interpretation Shed campaign to improve say publicly atmosphere at home matches, come to mind notable success. According to Territory Office