I’ll confess that I am not the kind of Chelsea fan who’d have everything in his or her house painted blue (including underwear).
I am the fan who is passionate about the game of football – having played the sport myself for over 14 years now. I like the flair and style with which Chelsea players play.
But this blog isn’t about how big a Chelsea fan I am or how much I love the game. If anything, it’s about how a football fan got to visit the stadium where his heroes train and play.
So, without diving into my other London escapades, let’s head straight to 6 December 2017 when this Chelsea fanboy finally made it to the mecca of every fan.
My journey started at the Tower Hill station in south London, which is around 50 minutes from Fulham Broadway station near Stamford Bridge – the home ground of Chelsea FC.
All I needed was a £7.5 day-return ticket and a London Underground tube map.
Though just a five minute walk from Fulham Broadway, every step towards the Stamford Bridge felt heavier and heavier. The thrill and excitement of finally making it to a place that you have been dreaming of for years, overpowered me.
I was having a Neil Armstrong moment.
The moment had finally arrived, as at the end of a 10 feet boundary wall emerged one of the most eye-catching spectacles for a football fan.
I was there... at Chelsea FC’s home ground... at Stamford Bridge.
Taking a tour of the stadium cost me £22, but before the tour, I had some time to kill. I went to see the club’s museum.
From Classic Chelsea FC kits to trophies to photographs of legendary players like Ken Armstrong, Didier Drogba, and Eidur Gudjohnsen – it was incredible to be in the midst of all that history and to witness what Chelsea FC stands for.
Check out Some Pictures From Inside the Museum:
World of Chelsea wall showcases Chelsea players from different parts of the world.
(Photo: The Quint)
Around 18 of us from different parts of the world lined up at the rear entrance of the stadium, where the tour was to begin. Our first pit stop was one of the lower stands behind the goal posts at Shed End.
It was tough holding back emotions, as I had dreamt of being here since I saw Chelsea play for the first in 2003-04.
On the evening of 6 December, the 41,663-capacity stadium was recovering from a hangover after hosting a Champions League fixture between Chelsea FC & Atletico Madrid FC.
I couldn’t catch that game as it would have set me back £700 (approx Rs 68,000). Though ticket prices on the match day are usually cheaper, my destiny ensured that watching the match from the stands remained a distant dream.
The next stop was the press room, where pre and post-match press conferences take place and also where new Chelsea players were signed (now the procession takes place at the Cobham Training Centre).
This room is also where all the journalists watch the match on two big screens and file post-match stories. The journalists are well taken care of here, considering the fact that they get free food and beverages.
Our next stop was the away team changing room, which was very small. The ceiling was only seven feet high (that’s too low).
According to our tour guide, Claudio Ranieri, Chelsea’s manager back in 2003-04, purposely remodelled the away changing room.
He also used to make the room’s environment cosy and warm so that the opponents would feel lazy and lethargic before the game. Ranieri, take a bow!
The room was host to not only us, but the kits of all the legends who had played at Stamford Bridge – from the great German defender, Franz Beckenbauer, to the ever mercurial and five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo.
My journey continued to wider spaces, to the home team’s dressing room which was much more lively and larger (obviously).
Most of the players are seated according to their nationality. As you can see, David Luiz, Kenedy, and Willian – all from Brazil – are seated together.
Though each one of them is dear to me, I grabbed Eden Hazard’s seat just to get a view from where the little wizard sees his teammates.
Finally, we made our way to the tunnel area where the players line up before every match. I was all pumped up to enter the ground as the players do. It was electric!
As I exited the tunnel, I was treated to this view, something I had been longing for almost 14 years.
Though not the biggest in London, Stamford Bridge is still capable of accommodating 41,663 home and away fans.
There are almost 1,000 seats reserved for the away fans, but when a lesser tier team plays here, that number comes down.
Coming to the last leg of our tour, it was time to head to the top of the West Stand for the ultimate selfie – the selfie that every single Chelsea fan craves for (minus the pout).
I was viewing one of the most picturesque parts of the ground, and it was a breathtaking sight.
The tour ended heading at the rear gates, and I have to say the trip to London was worthwhile.
Yes, I did miss out on other essential tourist spots of the city like the London Bridge and Big Ben, but then again, I was where I wanted to be. No regrets.
I said my final ‘au revoir’ to the edifice, as Christmas lights overpowered the dying sunshine and also ticking one item off my bucket list.
My ultimate dream is to watch the boys play on the pitch. But for now, I’ll cherish the memories of my journey to Stamford Bridge, where my beloved team Chelsea FC resides.
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