As a lesser mortal in India following an English club, I’ve always longed to visit the home stadium of my team. Though my idea of visiting the Stamford Bridge meant being one of the 42,000 odd crowd in a high profile match, I had to be content this time to just have the privilege of visiting the stadium in an off-season period.
When I knew that I was going to be in London, the one thing I wanted to do at all costs was to visit the Bridge. I didn’t care actually if I’m seeing those tourist essentials of London such as the Buckingham palace, Madame Tussuad’s museum and the like. All I wanted to do was to visit Chelsea’s home. I had checked in the official website that the stadium tour would only be until afternoon. So after my first work week in London, I thought of paying a reconnaissance visit to the Bridge on Friday, after my work hours.
This cab driver who picked me up from Airport had told me that Stamford Bridge is quite close from the place where I stayed. Well, I was staying in Central London in a very nicely furnished spacious apartment, which was a 2 minute walk from my office. On Friday evening, I didn’t even bother to go back to the apartment to change my clothes. I stepped out of my office and went straight to the nearest tube station. I was heading to Stamford Bridge. Being evening 7 pm, I knew that megastore would be closed, the stadium tour would also be closed and entry will not be permitted inside the stadium. But I still wanted to go. Though I had planned to spend the Saturday on all things Chelsea, I could not wait until the next day.
After changing lines in the tube stations, I finally got down at Fulham Broadway tube station. There is a lot of anecdotes behind why Chelsea’s stadium is not in Chelsea but only in Fulham. Quite a few Chelsea-jerseyed around almost confirmed that I had got down at the right station. I was not wearing a Chelsea jersey. I was wearing just a ‘smart’ casual as it was a Friday. Walking out of the tube station, I could see that it was a fine neighbourhood, quite calm and cozy. I was checking with the passers-by if I was anywhere near the stadium. I was told 200 yards, 100 yards, 50 yards etc. When the last guy told me that it was 50 yards from where I was, I just could not believe it. How could there be a 42k seater stadium just 50 yards away from me and I could not even see it or sense it?
As I kept walking, I suddenly see Stamford Bridge on my left. It was so surreal. I didn’t think that it would suddenly appear like that. Stadiums are generally visible from a long distance and you build up the expectations and excitement as you walk towards it. The Bridge was on the left in a withdrawn area where the entrance to the whole complex, which was on the Fulham road, was a bit narrow but when you walk inside you see the stadium. But I could not have just walked inside, I thought. I checked with the security guard if I can take a walk around the stadium. After he okayed, I started clicking pictures from all angles and even made a video that takes you from Fulham Road to the stadium.
The stadium was closed and it was quite apparent. All I could do was to just walk around the stadium slowly as I could realise and confirm that I’m THERE! I started walking down looking at the stadium, the name boards of the popular stands, the architecture of the structure. As I was strolling along, I did see some cars being parked and taken off. Everytime a car was parked and someone alighted, I was just looking ‘is it John Terry who left his something in his dressing room cupboard and has just come back to pick it up’? Well, I don’t want to shock you by saying I saw any of the players there. They were obviously holidaying in some distant sunny coasts.
Stamford Bridge was beautiful. Why didn’t they open the stadium just for me? I badly wanted to see the pitch. As I completed my full circle around the stadium, I saw this Chelsea mega store, which was closed. As it had glass walls and glass doors, I could see the mega store offerings. I’ve known this phrase ‘a boy outside a sweet shop’. I was becoming more and more restless as I saw the Chelsea stuff inside the store. I could at least nick this picture with Chelsea ‘giant’ John Terry.
That’s all I could do on Friday. My own stadium tour was over. All I then had in mind was to go back to the apartment, drown myself in beer and hurry up the night so that I could be back here in the morning. The next day was to be a memorable one. I was supposed to be walking around the spaces which were graced by the Chelsea legends. I couldn’t wait.
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I will support Frank Lampard in any decision that he decides to make. I’m just joking with the book and all. Lets all laugh together. I’m sure you will have a wonderful time in Italy if you decide to go. I would. But please stay. I want you to stay as well as the fans.
I hope CFC is spending their money wisely: Crespo, Drogba, Essien and Shevchenko etc.
I also made my first visit to Stamford Bridge this past Wednesday with one of my friends who is a United supporter. Thankfully, he is open enough to be interested in all areas of football and seemed to actually enjoy the tour.
It was great to have the chance to walk down the tunnel so many of my heroes have passed through over the past few years. The stadium, I felt, was extremely cosy and the perfect size; I remember accompanying another United-supporting friend to Old Trafford a few years ago for a Champions League qualifier. The stadium was massive and because it wasn’t a very important game, the attendence was perhaps only half of capacity. The Hungarian away fans were much louder than anybody next to me, and the players looked like ants. I also caught the Manchester City vs. Chelsea game back in April at Eastlands and the view there was much better than anything at Old Trafford.
I suppose I better get used to Stamford Bridge, seeing as eventually I’ll be there every week!
@BC
Y
@BC
You are really lucky man…………….actually i’m already scouting for good colleges in london for doin an mba after 4 years of b.tech……….my day lies as of now atleast 4 years afterwards.
and ya,u r not that unphotogenic as you claim yourself and uncle grant to be.
i went on the tour round the stadium on my 12th birthday
didn’t really sppreciate it as much as i would do now, i’m definitely going to do it again when i go to uni in london next year! i might even get a season ticket but that might be tough on a students income 
great BC!! looking fwd to the next story…
cheers
i have been visiting this site for so long, but didn´t knew you were an Indian! haha. Greetings from your neighbouring country Nepal.
Nice Intro of Stamford bridge, waiting to hear for more…
Michael Essien can play.
Give Frank Lampard a contract. Then do a Dennis Bergkamp.
That’s what I meant.
Grow up Josie Mourinho.
Blue Champion enjoyed your trip to Stamford Bridge?
Wow; I’d love to see that giant John Terry in person! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. As a Chelsea fan based in Los Angeles, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Stamford Bridge twice. Once on my birthday for an actual game against Bradford City (on Nov. 28th, 1999), and once on April 21, 2004 for a visit to the stadium and to the megastore. Both definite highlights in my life!
but BC why did you take that foto at away supporters end? (the foto that appears at the homepage, beside the title)…lol
@ IwasMissingJose, only half of the Shed End is allocated to the away fans. The other half is where all the hardcore fans go if they don’t have season tickets to get into the Matthew Harding.
so cech says lamps is staying. i hope hes right
current chelsea squad is weak.where are the new players philip?
Wow,nice to hear that BlueChampion is an Indian.You’ll find few Chelsea Supporters in India. It’s all Manu n Liverpool over here .Few believe that Chelsea is a gr8 team……I also dream of making a pilgrimage to The Bridge n witness a match.
JAI CHELSEA
chelsea also have been rumored to have bid on sergio aguero. what do you think?
sack Scolari
@BFDS
how can we sack scolari wat has he done poorly? he doesnt even have one match under his belt. you cant call him a failure when hes done nothing
Abramovich seems to be surrounded by fools..last year we missed on Torres and this year are willing to pay 40 for him…what a business acumen when everyone could see that Torres is bound to be a hit in EPL…
now same story is being repeated regarding Auguero…this guy is tailormade for Chelsea..he has everything we lack…speed,sublime skills,movement…and still Roman is spending time,energy and money on likes of Deco and Robinho….again one of our rival will swoop for him and wee will be left rubbing hands and watch him destroying oppositions in EPL…great going Roman and Phil….
GO FOR AUGUERO…
Robinho says he now would love to come to chelsea after last week he said he wanted to stay at Real Madrid, make your mind up! Chelsea made a £48m bid for him according to the guardian, I hope not, thats way too much.
@ 13 Chris,
thanks for enlightening. I´ve never visited stamford bridge, so i don´t know much about the seat-management. But i´m sure it must be great to go there and watch a match live…
i dont think that robinho would be a great fit at chelsea as we already have 2 wingers who are very good in kalou and joey. we should take that money and bid for aguero as a replacement for drogs
Scolari Plz Sign Bastian Schweinsteiger….he is a Good Wingner, better than robinho..He can be new Arjen Robin
@
24. Arun CFC Right you are!!!! lets start a lobby for Bastian Schweinsteiger!!!!!!
I think Drogba’s behavior last season was a means to show the chelsea board his disapproval of Grant without actually saying it out loud……
DROGBA LIKELY TO STAY WHILE LAMPARD WOULD LEAVE CHELSEA .BUT DOD YOU HEARD Manchester linked to ageuro and berbatov.these players are one of the most talented players in world but too expensive(not for chelsea).i heard that chelsea offer robinho 48m ponds .
roman is insane.it will be another mistake like shevchenko.
BRIDGE REMAINS BLUE!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1344636,00.html
Doesn’t Robinho have an £25m release clause.
Mr Abromavich should spend some of the money trying to buy Huntelaar (talented Dutch player).
great news : Wayne Bridge has signed a 4 year contract at chelsea,chelseafc.com confirmed it
our defence:terry,carvalho,alex,ivanovic,a.cole,bridge,bosingwa,belleti ,paulo,boulharouz(i dont know if his loan spell is over)
plus alcides who is already on loan(heard he’s comin back)
i think we need to sell paulo ferreira,makes no sense in keeping him wen u have already bought 2 right backs in two years
i agree dat d defence looks quite good ,but we also
have to keep all d guys happy,they aren’t even young ,so dat u can send them on loan
we need to sort out our defence
@ 29. trueblue your right we need to take down the numbers at the back a bit
at the ends of summer the back should look like this
terry,carvalho,alex,ivanovic,a.cole,bridge,bosingwa,paulo
boulharouz … will be sold
belleti … will sold
alcides…. can be loaned out to a EPL team
I personally would sell Paulo as well and use ivanaovic at RB aswell.
remember Ivanovic can play DMid as well so he is a good utility player….I think Alex is a bit too slow for the EPL even though i rate him highly but i really want to see how good Alcides is. I am backing Ivanovic to do well when given his chances.
CL: bosingwa terry,carvalho,a.cole
EPL: bosingwa terry,carvalho,a.cole
FA cup: paulo alex,ivanovic,bridge
CC: paulo,alex,ivanovic,bridge
@24
you are right about schweinsteiger being good but nothing will compare to a natural brazilian winger in robinho!!!
he is amazing and i would love to see him at chelsea although he is weak he can work out a bit then he will be fine!!!
i think 48 million is too much
maybe 28-30 million will be fine!!!
Hi guys,
The transfer activity linked with Chelsea hasnt exactly lived up to the hype..Rumours of a 250 million transfer kitty for scolari..n we have only deco to show for it
However, I am more worried about why we arent selling players.
The only guy we sold so far is Sidwell and hes the one who got the least number of chances to prove himself last season.He deserved a better chance.Anyway hes gone to Villa now.
TBH, Beletti,Makalele,Pizzaro,DROGBA..
TBH n Pizzaro..Not GOOD enough for CFC..
Maka..blocking development of Mikel..
Beletti..good..but time to make way for Bosingwa
DROGBA..A******…I hope the fact that NO clubs want him has made him realise that hes not that big a superstar after all..Sell Him please..If possible loan him out to Stoke city:)
Malouda & SWP should be sold only if we get in GOOD replacements for them..Guys like Bentley, Robinho, Schweinsteiger ,Podolski etc
Anelka & Sheva should be tried out in Scolari’s system n see how they cope..Sheva showed flashes of brilliance last season, only for injuries & Avram grant to ruin his momentum..Anelka was played as a winger most of the time by AG..Maybe scolari can extract something better out of them
Cmon Scolari..Sell some..Buy some..make us the Best team in the world AGAIN..
Go BLUES Go
No one will buy Drogba because of his great attitude. Milan have put him behind Adebhayor
My two cents:
1)Now that Chelsea has a real manager, expect Drogba’s attitude to change for the better. With the surgeries behind him and no ACN this season, we could see the Drogs of 06-07.
2)Keeping Bridge was excellent news. I’d like to see him get a little more playing time this season.
3)Robinho for how much? Gosh, it would be nice to get one of these young guns before their price goes up. I don’t know much about Auguero. But, if he doesn’t cost 48 million, heck get him if he is as good as #20 says he is.
4)LAMPARD AIN’T LEAVING!
5)IT IS TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT SACKING SCOLARI!