1905podcast

The No.1 rated Chelsea FC podcast on Apple & Spotify 💙

Passion and perspective from Gate 13 of the Matthew Harding Stand.

[1905podcast @1905pod]

The secret plans for a 63,000 Stamford Bridge 👀

Chelsea Supporters’ Trust chair Mark Meehan:

💬 “I’ve seen plans to build a 63,000-seater Stamford Bridge - on the existing site. That would make us the biggest stadium in London.”

Full interview on the pod - link in profile.

[Uber Chelsea FC @UberChelseaFC_]

Goodnight.

[1905podcast @1905pod]

@Chels4129 @SonOfChelsea Fair. Newcastle in particular was unforgivable.

[1905podcast @1905pod]

Anyone else weirdly excited to have Jackson back?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder (and forget the flaws).

[1905podcast @1905pod]

@thefinalbossuce But apart from that... 😅

[ChelsTransfer @ChelsTransfer]

The hunger in Cole Palmer is back.

(🎥 via @ChelseaFC)

[1905podcast @1905pod]

So true. Balance is key ⚖️

[Chris Wright 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @chriswrightzz]

CHELSEA REWIND: ⏪ Back to the 1990’s when pre season preparation would often consist of the Makita Tournament, the Umbro Trophy & of course, a fixture against Kingstonian.

[Daniel Childs ☕️ @SonOfChelsea]

Reintegrating a guy who hit 10+ G in his two PL seasons is just common sense squad choices.

We are a stronger squad and could even solve our LW issue

#CFC

[1905podcast @1905pod]

First impressions of Xabi Alonso as Chelsea Manager.

#cfc #chelsea #xabialonso

[Goals Side @goalsside]

🚨🚨| ON THIS DAY: Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 at MetLife Stadium to be crowned 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 for the first time 🏆🔵

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Ken Bates saved Chelsea. Not only back in 1982 when Bates rescued the club from potential oblivion. But still now, even following the sad news of his passing aged 94, Bates’ legacy continues to protect Chelsea. He created the CPO, Chelsea Pitch Owners, which safeguards the future of the stadium.

Bates achieved much in an extraordinary life. He fought to protect the FA Cup, fought for the new Wembley to be built, stabilised Leeds United and fought for smaller clubs but his greatest legacy revolves around Chelsea. Combative, controversial, loyal and principled in his way, Bates was driven by a desire to prove himself, to make something of himself, to take on the establishment in its varied forms.

Much of this drive stemmed from memories of growing up without parents (his mother died, his father disappeared and he was raised by his grandparents) and frustration at a childhood disability destroying his dream of making it as a footballer at Arsenal. He'd been a good attacker.

It was April 2 1982, when Bates rescued Chelsea. He spoke to the club bankers who’d run out of patience. “We have two cheques here,” the bank told Bates. “One is for the share of the (FA Cup) gate which has to go to the FA. And one is the players’ wages. Which one can we bounce?”

He came in, invested money to tide the club over and started cutting costs. Entering the Bridge boardroom for the first time pre-match, Bates was shocked to see the number of guests, the feast laid on, even a cigar box being passed around at a club losing £12,000 a week. Chelsea even had a club chauffeur. Not for long.

Bates’ cost-cutting was brutal but vital. Chelsea recovered, fought off property developers through Bates’ strength of personality, established themselves as a force in the Premier League and became more involved in European competition. Bates loved Chelsea. He loved entertainers. His favourite was Gianfranco Zola because the Italian played with a smile, dribbled and lit up stadiums and fans’ lives.

Even after selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003, taking over Leeds where his cost-cutting (and Chelsea past) alienated many fans, and then living in retirement with his beloved Suzannah in Monaco, Bates would try and return to watch matches at the Bridge. He kept a flat full of mementos nearby.

On the sideboard was a framed copy of Bates’ CPO share. One day while Chelsea chairman, a fan shouted about the possibility of “your grandson sells the land for houses”. Bates’ initial reaction was, typically, “You ungrateful bastard”.

But he realised that was a very real threat – the Bridge was prime London land. Developers craved it. So Bates created the CPO; it now numbers 13,000 fans owning 23,000 individual shares (Thomas Tuchel has one) and a large majority would be required to vote for any change in use of the pitch. And they aren’t for change. As Bates intended.

We last spoke on May 18. Ken sounded frail but was typically opinionated on the footballing issues of the day. Bates had his difficult side, vendettas and views, but he was passionate about family, football and Chelsea FC. RIP, Ken.

[1905podcast @1905pod]

New episode, new era - for the club and the podcast!

The 1905 Podcast is now available in video on Spotify and YouTube (Apple coming soon!).

Here’s our take on the Andrey Santos move to Man Utd.

Link to the full episode in the bio.

[Kenneth @NiceGuyKenny]

Took Chelsea from an utter shambles getting 6000 at home and left them as a Champions league team with ground security and a magnificent squad who then went on to have their most successful ever period. One of the biggest mouths in football but always backed it up. Rest easy Ken.

[1905podcast @1905pod]

@LucasJackson_51 Well said. Reece's days at full back / wing back are almost certainly over aren't they.

[1905podcast @1905pod]

Splitting the fanbase this one isn't it...

[CFC Pics @Mohxmmad]

GAFFER. 🥶

[James Evans @jamesevans11]

Fair play that is really gay

[1905podcast @1905pod]

👀

[1905podcast @1905pod]

Very well said.

[BAY @bayour20]

In 2008, Frank Lampard came close to joining Inter Milan while his contract talks with Chelsea had stalled.

In 2009, John Terry was the subject of serious interest from Manchester City during contract negotiations but ultimately stayed.

Didier Drogba publicly expressed a desire to leave Chelsea on more than one occasion, yet he stayed and became a club legend.

So don’t lecture me about players wanting to leave and then staying. I’ve supported this club for nearly 30 years,I know how these situations can play out.

If BlueCo shows real ambition and takes Chelsea back to where we belong by signing the right players to compete at the highest level, Enzo won’t be thinking of leaving. If we continue this way, Palmer, Caicedo will eventually do the same thing. Don’t fool yourselves….

[1905podcast @1905pod]

Best of luck Ty. We'll never forget Fulham.