Drake's workmanlike team broke the mould when Chelsea won the League Championship This badge never appeared on the team's shirts. Hooped socks that appear to be light blue and white were worn in a reds v blues pre-season game in 1934 and again in home matches against Spurs (15 Sept 1934) and Stoke (October) and it is unclear why.ĭrake took over as manager and he replaced the pensioner crest with a more business like monogram on a shield. In 1930 a look was established that became the template for the next 25 years, consisting of royal blue shirts with contrasting rugby-style collars, white knickers, black stockings with blue and white turnovers. Many star players graced the team in the inter-war yearsīut nevertheless, they became a music hall joke with a reputation as the The club has always enjoyed the patronage ofĬelebrity supporters because of its fashionable location and proximity The club flirted with success but neverįulfilled their potential.
They made little impression, however, and spent most Season, Chelsea was promoted to Division One for the first time in 1907, Known as the Chelsea Pensioners, which was reflected in their official crest. Club historians have suggested several dates for the switch to royal blue but the earliest reference, a match programme found by Nik Yeomans (April 2019) records that Chelsea wore "blue and white" against Lincoln City on 13 October 1906.īecause of the association with the war veterans in their famous red uniforms Weatherby's Ltd, who maintain historical records of racing silks, have confirmed to HFK that these colours were Eton blue and white. Initially, Chelsea played in the racing colours associated with the Earl of Cadogan, who was the club's president and also held the title Viscount Chelsea. Successfuly applied to join the Second Division of the Football League. League was snubbed following objections from Spurs and Fulham, Chelsea Went ahead and formed their own club, Chelsea FC. In because the annual £1,500 rent was too high, the brothers simply When Fulham FC declined an invitation to move To build the second largest stadium in England after Crystal Palace andĬalled it Stamford Bridge. Than sell their asset, the Mears brothers raised the money they needed
The plan lay fallow for a while until the Great Western Railway CompanyĪpproached the brothers to buy the land for marshalling yards. His brother who aquired the site of the Stamford Bridge Athletic groundĪnd a neighbouring market garden with a view to building a football stadium. The club came into being at the behest of a builder, Gus Mears and They had played a single game - an achievement they share with BradfordĬity.