The Blues are often touted as a club with no history; with nothing significant pertaining to the club before Roman Abramovich came in in 2003.
However, in reality – the Blues have a rich history stretching right back through their founding year in 1905.
In fact, our landlord thinks he’s got a couple of unbelievable Chelsea facts that you’ll have no idea about!
Next time you’re sat in the Football Transfer Tavern ahead of trivia night, make sure to remember these…
FOUNDED IN A PUB
The Blues were founded in a pub, not too dissimilar to the Football Transfer Tavern, situated in Chelsea.
The pub, once called the Rising Sun, is now called the Butchers Hook, and remains an active establishment to this very day.
1905 was the year, in case you were wondering.
ONCE PLAYED IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
Bizarrely, the Blues once played a game in the heart of the Arctic Circle! You know, the one thats always snowing and freezing cold…
Snow covered the pitch, and the game was halted on a number of occasions in order to ensure that the pitch lines were still visible.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea lost the game, which was aginst Tromso in the Cup Winners Cup.
One interesting stat about the Blues is that they, to this very day, hold the record for having the highest attendence figure for a game played at home in England.
The Blues had nearly 83,000 in attendence to see a game between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
Our landlord isn’t convinced that that one was entirely safe.
HOME WINS RECORD
A more recent record comes in the form of the Blues home wins record – which has been well documented in recent years.
Under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea were absoloutely unstoppable at home – and their record proves it.
Between March 20th 2004 and October 26th 2008, the Blues did not lose a single home game – making it the longest run in Premier League history.
Not bad for a ‘tinpot’ club, eh?
MOST POINTS IN A PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON
Another recent record also stemming from Jose Mourinho’s debut season in 2004, the Blues also hold the record for the highest ever points tally in Premier League history.
95 is the number to beat; and our landlord doesnt think it ever will.
One particularly vocal Chelsea fan here in the Tavern reckons that side was better than the Invincibles.
FIRST TEAM WITH NUMBERS ON SHIRTS
This is a bizarre fact – the Blues actually hold the record as being the first team in England to have numbers printed on the back of their shirts!
Well – sort of.
Chelsea actually share the record with Arsenal, with both sides donning printed shirts for the first time on August 25th 1928.
EUROPEAN GIANTS
Some fans will definately know about this one, but the Chelsea fans here in the Football Transfer Tavern like to bring it up on a near daily basis.
Chelsea are one of the few sides in Europe to win each of the continents three major UEFA trophies. Both the Champions League and Europa League were recent victories, but the Blues also won the predesseccor, the Cup Winners Cup, in 1998.
They are one of four clubs, joined by Bayern Munich, Ajax and Juventus to lift each of the three trophies.
Who said the Blues had no history?