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The History of the Club Without A History
 
1905team

Chelsea Football Club was founded on March 10, 1905 in a pub in London borough Fulham. One year prior, a businessman named Gus Mears had purchased Stamford Bridge, the stadium they would play in and currently play in. At that point it was an athletic complex rather than a complete football pitch. The stadium was offered to the existing Fulham FC, but they did not accept the offer and the pitch was left without a tenant. Mears then made the decision to form his own club to call Stamford Bridge home. Early ideas for the club's name were Stamford Bridge FC, London FC, and Kensington FC. The club was eventually called Chelsea FC, after the borough next to Fulham. The club found early success, but couldn't maintain it as they would constantly find themselves floating between the first and second flights. In their early years, the club drew consistent crowds, with the highest attendance average for several seasons in the 1910s. The club would remain in the top flight in the 1930s, but failed to capture a championship during World War II. In fact, the club was only able to find success in cup competitions prior to their first league title in 1955, a full 50 years after their founding. The club had a massive fall from grace in the 1970s and 1980s, in which they were relegated to the Second Division three times in a 20-year span. At one point, they were almost relegated to the Third Division. The last time the Blues were relegated was in the 1987-1988 season. They were promoted the following season, and have remained in the First Division ever since.

Following the formation of the Premier League in 1992, the Blues were in a slow but steady rise to glory. Many point to the appointment of Ruud Gullit as player-manager the turning point as the Dutchman was able to attract major stars from all over Europe to come and play for the Blues. The club began to establish itself among Europe’s best and made its first appearance in the Champions League in 1999. Chelsea had been invited to participate in the inaugural European Cup in 1955 but had not been allowed to compete by the head of the FA at the time Alan Hardaker. The Blues made an impression in the Champions League but never really threatened to win it in the early days. In 2002-03, Chelsea qualified for the Champions League by beating Liverpool on the last day of the season to finish fourth in the league. Many believe that had Chelsea not quialified that day that Roman Abramovich would not have purchased the club. Since Abramovich has taken over the club has reached new heights and is firmly established as one of the elite clubs in world football. The club cemented that elite status when the Blues captured the 2012 Champions League title. They would win the Champions League again in 2022. An ownership change and failure to keep a consistent manager in recent months have found the Blues mid-table in the Premier League, however. Fans have hopes that the Blues can bounce back in the 2023-2024 season but only time will tell.

Over Chelsea's storied history they have developed legendary rivalries with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as some other Big Six clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool. A bitter rivalry with Leeds United raged on throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Matches between these two historic clubs were played in several heated FA Cup finals, but the rivalry died out over the next few decades as both clubs became less competetive.

Sources: Wikipedia, Pride of London