On Sunday 10th November 2024, the Chelsea Heritage Partnership, part of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, in collaboration with Chelsea FC presented the latest Those Were the Days heritage event in the Stamford Bridge Tea Bar, prior to the Premier League game against north London rivals Arsenal.
Open from 2pm to 4pm, it was clear from the start of the event that the focal point and star attraction was the display of the Europa League trophy kindly loaned from the Chelsea Museum. Rightly raised on a pedestal, a reminder of that night in Baku on 29th May 2019 when we beat Arsenal 4-1 to lift that (rather heavy) prize. The trophy was flanked by a range of Chelsea shirts with significance of the day’s events. It’s sometimes strange to recall that Mohammed Salah once played for Chelsea yet he scored his debut goal against Arsenal, the final goal in that 6-0 drubbing under Jose Mourinho in March 2014.
With the venue decked out with images from our wartime past and with superb match day footage provided by James Abba’s Chelsea Lookback YouTube channel, the Tea Bar was humming to the sounds of the match day crowds as we played host to many uniformed forces personnel who dropped by to take a look around before heading off for official duties on the pitch before kick-off.
We also screened a special Remembrance Day presentation created by the club’s official historian Rick Glanvill. Titled ‘War Stories’ it told many tales from those times with a small glimpse into what life was like for many.
We were delighted to welcome Chelsea Heritage Partner and Bygone Chelsea 1905-99 stalwart Paul Waterhouse to the event. Armed with an array of his own collection of Chelsea v Arsenal programs from 1907-1985, Paul delighted his visitors with the passion he showed for his extensive Chelsea historical knowledge. You can read more about his day here.
Can we take this opportunity to thank the many staff at Chelsea FC who helped make this event happen, notably Ethan and Sam in the Supporter Liaison team and Adam from the Chelsea Museum who was kind enough to loan such fabulous items. Please do visit the museum, there is so much more to see especially as part of the stadium tour, details here, including how men’s and women’s season ticket holders can attend for free. Also our thanks to the catering and security staff who looked after us during the event.
Thank you to the many supporters and service personnel who joined us for what was a busy afternoon. It was a delight to welcome and engage with so many people and we hope to see you again at our next event.
(It is with great sadness we learned that since the event John Boyle’s wife has passed away. We send our sincerest condolences to John, his family and friends.)
“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”
