Product Description

Picture the scene, August 25th 1984, Highbury Stadium, London. Thousands upon thousands of expectant Chelsea fans have congregated at the stately home of aristocratic Arsenal to celebrate the return of the Blues to the old First Division. A quarter of a century ago Chelsea were a very different proposition to the club they are today. A luckless Cinderella outfit on the brink of financial extinction, they were represented by an inexpensively assembled team of relatively unknown players. Despite this, the Blues were able to command a phenomenal away support seldom bettered by the leading clubs of the day and inconceivable in the modern era. Set against a detailed background recalling life in Thatcherite Britain, Chelsea Here Chelsea There is a flawless time capsule for Blues fans seeking a trip down memory lane or those on the lookout for enlightenment in the ways of the old school. An assemblage of fascinating player interviews, rare and previously unseen photographs and the anecdotal recollections of a broad cross section of Blues fans present on that special day give Chelsea Here Chelsea There an endearingly nostalgic flavour. Dixon, Nevin, Speedie. Johnny Neal s Blue and White army swathed in Le Coq Sportif. Frankie say slogan T-shirts, Hi-NRG music and the lunatic hooligan fringe, Chelsea Here Chelsea There incorporates them all with gusto along with plenty more and provides a welcome shot in the arm for any fan seeking an antidote to today s sterile football environment.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11712 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-10
• Format: Illustrated
• Binding: Paperback
• 234 pages

Customer Reviews

CHELSEA ARE BACK HELLO HELLO CHELSEA ARE BACK
Chelsea Here Chelsea There

Chelsea Here Chelsea There is the latest offering from Gate 17, Mark Worrall's excellent publishing vehicle for all things Chelsea. The book harnesses the combined talents of Worrall himself, Kelvin 'should eat celery cos he's getting fat' Barker and the legend that is David 'only a pound' Johnston. Anyone who has listened to these three on the radio will know they are an entertaining triumvirate who spark off each other and keep their listeners entertained and that comes through in Chelsea Here Chelsea There. The book concerns itself with a game (which ended in a 1-1 draw) that took place between Chelsea and Arsenal at Highbury in August 1984 and entertainingly covers off the vagaries of life back in the day. The research is phenomenal and as with all Gate 17 material it is the shared experience of following the Blues that shines. Not only are their some brilliant interviews with the players who starred for Chelsea that day, including a fascinating insight into the mind of the much maligned Dale Jasper, but also some great recollections from fans present on the day. The photographs are exceptional. Perhaps the best bit of the book is the interview with the bloke who was Chelsea's mascot that day. Essential reading not only for Blues fans but for anyone with an interest in what life was like for football fans under the Thatcherite yoke.