Chelsea Football Club is 120 years old today – here’s my most memorable moments as a supporter

Chelsea Football Club celebrates 120 years of existence today. I, as just one of the millions of other fans across the globe, have been fortunate enough to celebrate some truly amazing moments.

I have been supporting this club since I was a child, family ties meant there was no other possible club for me. Despite being only 23 years old, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly.

My first ever game: Chelsea 4-1 Cardiff, FA Cup, 2010

In no particular order, I feel like I have to add my first ever game that I watched live in person to my list of most memorable moments as a supporter.

Goals from Drogba, Ballack, Kalou and Sturridge secured a comfortable FA Cup win against Cardiff, but the game was memorable for me for off the pitch reasons.

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba was one of the first players I saw live to score a goal

At just 9 years old and in my first ever experience at a Football ground, I and hundreds of other fans were subjected to some old school Football hooliganism.

Fulham road turned into a scene out of Green Street before the match, tons of Chelsea and Cardiff fans engaged in fist fights and when the Police made a barrier in between the sets of fans, I was nearly struck multiple times with bricks and bottles launched by Cardiff fans.

My . London released images of supporters wanted in connection with the brawl in 2010

Myself and my Dad, as well as tons of other innocent fans were hauled into local pubs by Police.

The first thing I remember seeing upon being rushed into this pub was a Policeman sitting down on a stall receiving treatment… blood all over his face seemingly from being struck by an object.

At 9 years old, It took some persuading from my Dad to go to another game soon after, but I was back in the ground and in the Matthew Harding stand for the next season where I have sat in the same seats ever since.

“We’re never going to win this bloody thing are we?” Yes, we are..

Everyone rightly thinks of Didier Drogba when the topic of the 2012 Champions League final is discussed.

The King, the man for the big occasion delivered once again on the biggest stage of them all.

An insane leap and header and the composure to slot away the winning penalty, but everyone forgets the real hero of Munich, Petr Cech.

If it wasn’t for Cech denying former Chelsea man Arjen Robben’s penalty in extra time, Chelsea would have likely lost the match and many forget that.

Although Drogba and Lampard tried to get in Robben’s head before the penalty before he took it, reminding him of his Chelsea past and the fact that Cech knew where he was going to put it, it was the Ivorian who gave the penalty away.

Cech saves Arjen Robben’s penalty in Munich

My personal memories of Munich apart from screaming and running round my house is a response I gave to my older brother who had been watching Chelsea much longer than me.

“We’re never going to win this bloody thing are we?” he said to me after the penalty was given away by Drogba. I responded with “Yes we are”, the rest was history.

John Terry’s farewell speech to Stamford Bridge and Roman Abramovich

John Terry’s farewell speech on the final day of the 2016/17 season was more than emotional.

This day was an extra special one due to the fact that we were awarded the Premier League title after a fantastic season under Antonio Conte.

Standing in the Matthew Harding stand, it was emotional to see Chelsea’s greatest ever player walk around the pitch with microphone in hand delivering messages towards the fans for their years of support.

My favourite moment from this speech was when he addressed former owner Roman Abramovich. Met with huge roars from the crowd, Terry thanked Abramovich who was standing in his box for all the support and care he showed for the Football Club.

John Terry looks towards Abramovich’s personal box to address him on his farewell

“I think we all have to thank this man as well, Mr Roman Abramovich. I personally want to thank him and the board, for me the best owner in world football without a doubt” Terry said.

“He cares and loves this club and looks to improve year and year out. Roman, on behalf of myself, the club and the supporters, thank you very much.”

Roman Abramovich’s reaction to John Terry’s personal message

The moment really embodied Chelsea. Two legends of the club etched in club history forever talking to each other whilst being surrounded by 40,000+ fans on a day where Chelsea had lifted the biggest trophy in domestic Football.

Eden Hazard’s incredible solo goal vs West Ham

I have been fortunate enough to see some amazing players at Stamford Bridge, both for the club and against us, but a certain Eden Hazard has to be right up there.

Eden made me truly WANT to go and watch Chelsea. It did not matter the opponent or the season, or where we were in the table, Eden was breath-taking to watch every time he stepped on the pitch.

For me, Eden is the most talented player Chelsea have ever had and for as good as Cole Palmer is or may yet be, not even he will be able to out-do Eden’s performances week in, week out.

I was at Stamford Bridge for Eden’s incredible solo goal against Arsenal in 2017, but it was the 2019 goal against West Ham that produced a crowd reaction that I have never seen at the Bridge before.

A cruyff turn before dribbling past two West Ham players and shooting past the keeper whilst managing to stay on balance, the goal was truly spectacular.

Eden Hazard managed to get through two West Ham defenders with minimal space before scoring

While the Arsenal goal from Eden brought crazy celebration, those around me including myself were more in just complete and utter shock for this one.

So many of the fans initial reactions was to just put their hands over their face as a reaction of “wow” did he really just do that, rather than celebrate.

It hasn’t happened often from my experience, but when it does, you know you witnessed something truly special in front of your eyes.

2021 Champions League Final – The pre game Tunnel

Chelsea had already defeated Manchester City twice in the 2021/22 season and many people said there was “no way” Pep would allow Chelsea to do that for the third time in a season.

But, this Chelsea team was different. It was a throwback to the old Chelsea sides. It had leaders, grit, determination, character.

Thomas Tuchel captured the hearts of Chelsea fans through his unwavering passion off the pitch and his incredible tactics on it.

The pre game tunnel photo is an iconic memory – one which gave Chelsea fans more confidence.

The focus, the intensity, the lack of acknowledgment to the opponent. Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea were about to go to war.

Manchester City on the other hand, perhaps a bit cocky, underestimating Chelsea, “they can’t do this to us again” type of feeling as they chatted away together.

The Pre game tunnel photographs between Chelsea and Manchester City in 2021

The in game moments will always be remembered such as the Havertz goal, the last ditch tackles, Andreas Christensen’s performance coming on for Thiago Silva, the late Mahrez shot which felt as if time stood still, but it was these pictures in the tunnel which will stick with me forever.

Although it feels like a different club since Roman Abramovich departed, I still live in hope that we as a fanbase will get to celebrate more titles as the years go by, because there is no better club than to do so for.