When a Chelsea FC Fan Got to Live the Ultimate Fanboy Moment

When a Chelsea FC fan from India visits Stamford Bridge. The story in pictures.

A view from Shed End at Stamford Bridge, home ground of the Chelsea Football Club.

(Photo: The Quint)

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.

London Underground map from Tower Hill to Fulham Broadway station, which is near the Stamford Bridge stadium.(Photo: The Quint)

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 road leading to Stamford Bridge.(Photo: The Quint)

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.

A warm welcome, indeed.(Photo: The Quint)

The Chelsea Football Club stadium.(Photo: The Quint)

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.

Entrance to the museum and ticket counter(Photo: The Quint)

Check out Some Pictures From Inside the Museum:

World of Chelsea wall showcases Chelsea players from different parts of the world.

Memories captured in this glass cabinet.

Chelsea FC classic kit

Trophy cabinet of the the current EPL champions.

Chelsea FC kits over the years and pennants received.

Chelsea FC 2012 Champions League kit

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.

Entrance to the lower stands behind the goal post.(Photo: The Quint)

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.

This is where the home fans cheered the Blues on.(Photo: The Quint)

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).

Press conference room at Stamford Bridge.(Photo: The Quint)

The last player to be signed for Chelsea FC is Davide Zappacosta from Italian club Torino (before signing me, of course!).(Photo: The Quint)

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!

You see the legends behind me? They all played at Stamford Bridge.(Photo: The Quint)

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.

Even these legends played at the Bridge.(Photo: The Quint)

My journey continued to wider spaces, to the home team’s dressing room which was much more lively and larger (obviously).

The dressing room of champions! (Photo: The Quint)

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.

I really look up to you, Eden. (Photo: The Quint)

Players with the same nationality are mostly seated together. And they all have to speak in English!(Photo: The Quint)

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!

The tunnel where players line up before entering the pitch.(Photo: The Quint)

As I exited the tunnel, I was treated to this view, something I had been longing for almost 14 years.

View from the sidelines.(Photo: The Quint)

How Chelsea manager Antonio Conte sees the Bridge during the game.(Photo: The Quint)

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.

Stamford Bridge has a seating capacity of 41,663(Photo: The Quint)

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).

This one is for the archives! A dream selfie of a Chelsea fan.(Photo: The Quint)

I was viewing one of the most picturesque parts of the ground, and it was a breathtaking sight.

West Stand of Stamford Bridge(Photo: The Quint)

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.

The banner says it all!(Photo: The Quint)

Stamford Bridge is ready for Christmas.(Photo: The Quint)

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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