By Chris Wright
We’ve already basked in the glory of Highbury in monochrome, now it’s Chelsea’s turn…
One of the very first known photographs of Stamford Bridge, taken during Chelsea’s Division Two match against West Bromwich in 1905
A huge crowd swarms into Stamford Bridge to watch England’s Home International match against Scotland, 1913. England won 1-0, with Harry Hampton the scorer
Prince Albert poses for a photograph on the pitch at Stamford Bridge, 1920
The view from the top of the terrace as Chelsea attempt to keep Wolves at bay, 1933
82,000 people cram into Stamford Bridge to watch the derby game between Chelsea and Arsenal, 1935
Dynamo Moscow players emerge from the tunnel holding bouquets of flowers (which were later exchanged with the British players) before an exhibition game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge designed to pay tribute to the Russian factory workers who aided the allied war effort, 1945
Barnet captain Lester Finch shakes hands with Bishop Auckland’s young mascot before the FA Amateur Cup Final at Stamford Bridge, 1946
With the Football League restarting for the first time in seven years due to the Second World War, especially large crowds are drawn out for Chelsea’s first league match against Bolton, 1946
Around 70,000 people huddle together for warmth as they watch Chelsea’s FA Cup Third Round tie against Arsenal amid freezing temperatures, 1947
A young Chelsea fan is passed over the crowd to the front of the terrace for a better view ahead of a game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, 1947
Chelsea’s Dick Spence (left) and Len Goulden (right) engage in a spot of head tennis during a training session at Stamford Bridge, 1947
Chelsea manager Billy Birrell gives a tactical talk to his players using an impromptu tactics board in the Stamford Bridge changing rooms, 1950
Chelsea outside right Billy Gray chases down a loose ball in front of the empty terraces at Stamford Bridge, 1950
Chelsea players leapfrog in tandem at a pre-season training session, 1950
Chelsea trainer Jack Oxberry treats Alan Rule’s sprained ankle in the medical room at Stamford Bridge, 1953
Chelsea players limber (or should that be “lumber”?) up using a 125lbs tree log to stretch off during a pre-season training session, 1953
Heading practice, 1955
Dribbling practice, 1955
An understandably sparse crowd turn out to watch Chelsea take on Charlton at a snowbound Stamford Bridge, 1956
Preston’s Tom Finney creates a splash at Stamford Bridge, completely obscuring Chelsea defender Wally Bellet in what has become one of the most iconic footballing photos ever taken, 1956. The image was immortalised in bronze outside the old National Football Museum in Preston, though the museum has since moved to Manchester.
Chelsea’s Peter Brabrook flicks a boot-load of mud into Bolton defender Ralph Gubbins’ face as the two teams play on a quagmire of a pitch at Stamford Bridge, 1957
Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves warms up at Stamford Bridge, 1957
Three schoolboys watch England train at Stamford Bridge ahead of a game against Scotland the following day which attracted a crowd of 100,000 people, 1957
A pitch invader is dealt with by players during the game between Chelsea and Everton, 1959
Chelsea coach Harry Medhurst (right) attempts to correct the poor weightlifting technique of Chelsea’s Charlie Livesey, Frank Blunstone, Sylvan Anderton and Johnny Brooks, 1960
Chelsea manager Ted Drake (right) sits alongside his new player-coach Tommy Docherty in the Stamford Bridge dugout to watch his side take on Blackpool, 1961
Demonic looking ”road-burner” lorries – conventionally used to melt tarmac – are employed to thaw out the frozen Stamford Bridge pitch, 1963
The weathervane atop Stamford Bridge’s east stand which was modeled on prolific striker George Hilsdon, who scored 98 goals in 150 league games for the club
Chelsea’s glamour girl programme sellers find business is brisk before the match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, 1966
Dave Sexton (left) stands on the Stamford Bridge terraces with Chelsea chairman Charles Pratt having been appointed the club’s new manager, 1967
(Photos: PA)
Suggested further viewing…
30 Marvelous Vintage Photos Of Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium, Taken Between 1931-1967
