Blue Is The Colour

You might say I’m a dreamer but I’m not the only one!

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Blue is the colour
Football is the game
We’re all together
And winning is our aim
So sing us on through the sun and rain
Cos Chelsea, Chelsea is our name

[Matt Law @Matt_Law_DT]

Players staying safely in front of the advertising boards to belt out Wonderwall today. Phew!

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Bellingham, everything little thing he does is magic

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

That will do nicely, good game management for from Tuchel

[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.

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Here we go 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Spoiler Alert: It’s not coming home

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Harry Kane, my man of the match

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Brilliant team goal

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Great start of the second half from Bellingham

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Get in Kane
2 and counting

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Good equalizer to be fair

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

This break is not required

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Here we go, let’s hope the Lions roar tonight

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

France v Senegal, game of the tournament so far #worldcup26

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Let the #WorldCup begin

[Blue Is The Colour @Andymcable]

Anyone want an Arsenal pencil case, it’s missing 2 pens though!!

[Pie Sports Booze 🔞 PARODY @piesportsbooze]

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

The Arsenal trophy parade today has been delayed by two hours as work frantically continues on the open top bus to remove 'Champions of Europe'

[Central @WestHam_Central]

RT IF YOU SUPPORT A LONDON CLUB AND HAVE WON A EUROPEAN TROPHY

[talkSPORT @talkSPORT]

Arsenal LOSE the Champions League final! ❌

The Gunners have now played the most Champions League/European Cup games in history WITHOUT winning the competition... 😬