The elusive Chelsea are coming to the Lane

[1973Blade]

A rare visit by Chelsea to Bramall Lane tomorrow. During our last stay in the Premier League both games against Chelsea at home were played behind closed doors (I never really consider them real games). This means that since 1993 United fans have seen Chelsea at home just the once - in 2006 when Mourinho was in charge, they were solid but not spectacular and won 2-0.
I would say other 'elusive teams' in recent years have been Leicester City and Southampton (and thankfully Wednesday, who we have only seen at Bramall Lane three times in the last 15 years.

 

[Rodley]

A rare visit by Chelsea to Bramall Lane tomorrow. During our last stay in the Premier League both games against Chelsea at home were played behind closed doors (I never really consider them real games). This means that since 1993 United fans have seen Chelsea at home just the once - in 2006 when Mourinho was in charge, they were solid but not spectacular and won 2-0.
I would say other 'elusive teams' in recent years have been Leicester City and Southampton (and thankfully Wednesday, who we have only seen at Bramall Lane three times in the last 15 years.

Chelsea as a club has absolutely transformed since 1993, in all aspects.

 

[Bell4]

First live match on tv i can remember seeing was Leeds v Chelsea FA Cup finals 1970.

Loved their royal blue kit back in the day . Infact back then I loved the colours and simplicity of most kits . Each team had an instantly recognisable brand - I couldn’t tell you what colour or style the team shirts clubs will turn up in today for away matches .

Our iconic red n white shirt, black shorts and white socks - the Wolves amber shirts , Chelsea royal blue, Hull gold and black stripes etc

Hated when the fussiness came along 75+. Probably started when Leeds started to wear sock number tags ?

Maybe I’m just getting too old

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

I was London Blades in the early 1990s.
For the 3 September 1991 Tuesday night game at The Lane v Chelsea, my Chelsea mate Gary smuggled me on the Chelsea football special train back to London.
He's arriving in Sheffield this afts to stay with me for the game tomorrow.

It will be his 2,397th Chelsea game.

Another Chelsea fan I know has not missed an away game for 44 years!!!

(Some, not all) Football friendships endure.

 

[bornablade]

I was London Blades in the early 1990s.
For the 3 September 1991 Tuesday night game at The Lane v Chelsea, my Chelsea mate Gary smuggled me on the Chelsea football special train back to London.
He's arriving in Sheffield this afts to stay with me for the game tomorrow.

It will be his 2,397th Chelsea game.

Another Chelsea fan I know has not missed an away game for 44 years!!!

(Some, not all) Football friendships endure.

Full marks to those two Chelsea fans.

It's easy to look at these clubs and call their supporters 'glory hunters'. It's obvious those two guys have seen them through thick and thin.

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

Full marks to those two Chelsea fans.

It's easy to look at these clubs and call their supporters 'glory hunters'. It's obvious those two guys have seen them through thick and thin.

Nowadays "guys" is mainly gender neutral. But, I do want to make the point that the person who hasn't missed a Chelsea away game in 44 years is indeed a "gal".

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Chelsea as a club has absolutely transformed since 1993, in all aspects.

Similar situation to Man City really.
Exactly what I don't want for us.

Interesting stat in the OP though, let's hope our season starts here...

 

[derbysufc]

I was London Blades in the early 1990s.
For the 3 September 1991 Tuesday night game at The Lane v Chelsea, my Chelsea mate Gary smuggled me on the Chelsea football special train back to London.
He's arriving in Sheffield this afts to stay with me for the game tomorrow.

It will be his 2,397th Chelsea game.

Another Chelsea fan I know has not missed an away game for 44 years!!!

(Some, not all) Football friendships endure.

Full marks to those two Chelsea fans.

It's easy to look at these clubs and call their supporters 'glory hunters'. It's obvious those two guys have seen them through thick and thin.

That's an amazing feat . I've never disliked chelsea like some london clubs .
My claim was 32 years at home without missing and every away game for years .
In the Neptune pub here in derby which is full of derby stuff even a turnstile--- there's one thing on wall that makes me smile massively. An old derby fan died few years ago , he didn't miss a game anywhere for roughly same as the Chelsea fan , he always wore a long parker full of derby badges absolutely covered top to bottom long coat with badges . They've put the jacket and badges on the wall in his honour .

 

[Pollingtonblade]

My Uncles last game missed was Crewe away in 81/82 season, home, away, cups.

He took me to Chelsea 4 times in early 90 league, FA Cup and THAT day.

 

[Guesty]

A rare visit by Chelsea to Bramall Lane tomorrow. During our last stay in the Premier League both games against Chelsea at home were played behind closed doors (I never really consider them real games). This means that since 1993 United fans have seen Chelsea at home just the once - in 2006 when Mourinho was in charge, they were solid but not spectacular and won 2-0.
I would say other 'elusive teams' in recent years have been Leicester City and Southampton (and thankfully Wednesday, who we have only seen at Bramall Lane three times in the last 15 years.

We don't seem to play Sunderland a great deal in the league, either.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I was London Blades in the early 1990s.
For the 3 September 1991 Tuesday night game at The Lane v Chelsea, my Chelsea mate Gary smuggled me on the Chelsea football special train back to London.
He's arriving in Sheffield this afts to stay with me for the game tomorrow.

It will be his 2,397th Chelsea game.

Another Chelsea fan I know has not missed an away game for 44 years!!!

(Some, not all) Football friendships endure.

You'd assume they've spent over £100k following Chelsea!! Fair play, I'm still annoyed at the £25 rise in season tickets at United

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

You'd assume he's spent over £100k following Chelsea!! Fair play, I'm still annoyed at the £25 rise in season tickets at United

Of course, those Chelsea games include FIFA Club World Cup campaigns in Japan and the UAE.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Of course, those Chelsea games include FIFA Club World Cup campaigns in Japan and the UAE.

Amazing dedication

 

[Ball_Sup (Phil)]

General point...

When I first started doing England Aways, I was part of a loose grouping of fans/friends from Sheffield United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Southampton, Aston Villa, Hull City.

Over the years, that has expanded to include Sunderland and West Brom fans.

In those circumstances, you do see the dedication of fans (to their club sides) across the decades.

While I get where all this chat about plastic fans & glory hunters comes from, it is worth remembering that ALL clubs have these core, dedicated for years, fans. Who you often don't hear about.

There's a lot of stereotyping of fans.

 

[derbysufc]

General point...

When I first started doing England Aways, I was part of a loose grouping of fans/friends from Sheffield United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Southampton, Aston Villa, Hull City.

Over the years, that has expanded to include Sunderland and West Brom fans.

In those circumstances, you do see the dedication of fans (to their club sides) across the decades.

While I get where all this chat about plastic fans & glory hunters comes from, it is worth remembering that ALL clubs have these core, dedicated for years, fans. Who you often don't hear about.

There's a lot of stereotyping of fans.

You will know Ian Rainford, worksop blade but also follows Canvey island , a mad groundhopper.
Had a few trips with him . He's been everywhere with England but the one that stands out from him was the game in izmir turkey . Hardly any england went but they all stood together due to the trouble.
Soilder bill used to go to alot of England games .
Jazz goes to most a good mate .
When I used to go Bristol rovers and Carlisle had a fair few travelling.