Chelsea FC, one of the most renowned and successful clubs in English football, is affectionately known as “The Blues.”
This nickname holds a special place in the hearts of Chelsea fans and has become deeply intertwined with the club’s identity. But why exactly is Chelsea called “The Blues”?
To uncover the origins of this nickname, we need to go back in time into the club’s history, the color of the club’s kit, and the cultural significance it holds for both players and fans.
From the early days to the modern era of success, the story behind Chelsea’s nickname reveals a fascinating blend of tradition, royal connections, and the unwavering loyalty of their fanbase.
Early Days Formation
On March 10, 1905, in the London borough of Fulham, Chelsea FC was born.
Founded by English businessman Gus Mears, the club’s inception was driven by Mears’ desire to establish a team to play at the newly built Stamford Bridge stadium.
Little did Mears know that this decision would pave the way for the rise of one of England’s most successful and iconic football clubs.
At the time of Chelsea’s formation, Stamford Bridge was an athletics stadium.
Mears, who had recently acquired both the stadium and the adjacent market garden, envisioned transforming it into a premier football ground.
However, his plans hit a stumbling hurdle when Fulham FC, an established club in the area, refused to move to Stamford Bridge due to financial issues.
Undeterred by this setback, Mears considered selling the property to The Great Western Railway.
It was during this uncertain period that Mears had a meeting with his friend Fred Parker in a pub.
Legend has it that it was in this pub, with the scale of the task before them, that they decided to start a football club from scratch.
With the name Fulham already taken, Mears and his associates turned their attention to the nearby borough of Chelsea.
They immediately formulated plans to enter professional football and approached the Football Association with their vision.
Several potential names for the club were considered, including Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC, and London FC. However, it was Chelsea that ultimately resonated with the founders and became the club’s identity.
Interestingly, the rivalry between Chelsea and Fulham also started during this time.
The pub where Mears and Parker met was located directly opposite the main entrance to Craven Cottage, Fulham’s home ground. When Fulham rejected Mears’ offer, a rivalry was born, fueled by the proximity of the two clubs.
Chelsea’s journey to join the Football League proved to be a challenging one.
Both Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham objected to the club’s entry into the Southern League.
Undeterred, Chelsea signed several players, and with the combined strength of their new recruits and the impressive Stamford Bridge stadium, they were eventually granted entry into the Football League Division Two.
It is worth noting that Chelsea achieved the remarkable feat of being accepted into the Football League without even playing a single match.
This record sets them apart as the only club to accomplish such a feat in the history of the League.
The Royal Connection
One notable royal connection in Chelsea’s history is the visit by the then Prince of Wales, who would later become King George V, along with his family in the spring of 1907.
It is believed that their presence influenced the club’s decision to change the color of their shirts from a lighter Eton blue to a more regal shade, which has been consistently worn ever since.
King George V continued to support Chelsea even after ascending to the throne.
In December 1920, during his reign, the monarch was reportedly present in the main stand at Stamford Bridge for a match against Arsenal.
Jack Cock, a Chelsea footballer who wrote for the Globe, mentioned the king’s interest in the club, stating that he inquired about Chelsea’s performance after matches.
This connection between the royal family and the club further reinforced the association with the color blue and the nickname “The Blues.”
George VI, King George V’s son, and Queen Elizabeth II’s father, was also known to be a follower of Chelsea.
The royal family’s frequent presence at Chelsea matches even led to a sarcastic suggestion in a Manchester newspaper that there should be a sign above the gate at Stamford Bridge stating “By Royal Appointment.”
One particularly notable moment involving the late Queen Elizabeth II occurred when she was still Princess Elizabeth.
She attended a wartime football match at Wembley, which was the equivalent of the FA Cup, known as the Football League (South) Cup final, on April 7, 1945.
This marked the princess’s first-ever club football match, and Chelsea Vice-President A V Alexander, MP, First Lord of the Admiralty, was one of the individuals accompanying her throughout the day.
Blue Jersey & Uniform
Chelsea has a rich history when it comes to their kit and color choices.
The club’s original jersey was in a paler Eton blue, which was derived from the racing colors of the then club president, Earl Cadogan. These shirts were paired with white shorts and dark blue or black socks.
Around 1912, Chelsea made a change to their kit, adopting a royal blue version of their shirts.
This switch to royal blue has remained the club’s primary color ever since. The royal blue shirts were accompanied by blue shorts and white socks, creating a distinctive and modern look.
This kit combination was introduced by manager Tommy Docherty during the 1964-1965 season and has remained largely unchanged since then.
The club’s away colors have varied over the years.
Normally, Chelsea’s away kits feature an all-yellow or all-white design with blue trim.
However, they have also introduced black or dark blue away kits that alternate each season. Chelsea has had some more unusual away kits throughout their history.
In the 1966 FA Cup semi-final, at Docherty’s request, Chelsea wore a kit with blue and black stripes, inspired by the kit worn by Inter Milan.
This was a unique choice that stood out from the traditional colors of the club. During the mid-1970s, Chelsea’s away strip took inspiration from the Hungarian national side of the 1950s, featuring a red, white, and green design.
Other notable away kits include an all-jade strip worn from 1986 to 1989, red and white diamond patterns from 1990 to 1992, and a graphite and tangerine combination from 1994 to 1996.
However, not all of Chelsea’s away kits have been well-received. The graphite and tangerine strip from the mid-1990s, in particular, has often been included in lists of the worst football kits ever.
The Pensioners & Royal Hospital Connection
The Royal Hospital Chelsea, home to British war veterans known as the Chelsea Pensioners, has played a big role in the club’s history and community involvement.
For around half a century after its foundation, Chelsea FC was commonly referred to as “The Pensioners” due to this association.
During the World War years, many players from the club left to join the military and serve their country.
This led to a deep bond being formed between the club and the community, particularly with the veterans residing at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
When players returned from the battles, they reconnected with the club and continued to represent Chelsea on the field, further strengthening the ties between the two entities.
The club’s crest during this period featured the insignia of a Pensioner figure, symbolizing the enduring connection with the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Also, the “CFC” logo became a representation of the ever-deepening bond between the club and the veterans’ community.
This connection between Chelsea FC and the Royal Hospital Chelsea still persists to this day.
The club continues to honor the veterans by allocating a quota of seats for them at home games in Stamford Bridge every season.
The presence of the Pensioners during trophy presentation ceremonies, such as the Premier League title victories in 2005 and 2010, where they formed a guard of honor, further exemplifies the special relationship between Chelsea and the veterans.
Stamford Bridge, the club’s iconic stadium, has served as a symbol of this enduring bond.
The residents of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Chelsea Pensioners, hold a deep devotion to the club and its success, further cementing the connection between the two institutions.
Why Does Chelsea Logo Have A Lion & Crozier
The connection between the lion and crozier in Chelsea’s badge and the historical association with the Abbey of Westminster stems from the medieval ownership of the manor of Chelsea by the Abbey.
The lion symbolizes strength and power, while the crozier represents the Abbot of Westminster. This connection to the Abbey highlights the historical roots and heritage of the club in the local area.
The presence of the red football on one side and the red Tudor rose on the other side of the lion represents the sport of football and the rich Tudor history associated with Chelsea.
The red football is a clear reference to the game that Chelsea is associated with, while the red Tudor rose may symbolize a unified England (combining the red and white roses), as well as the locality’s strong ties to Tudor history.
The inclusion of the Tudor Rose may also be a nod to Chelsea’s pioneering youth scheme in 1947-48, which was based around the Tudor Rose youth club on Harrow Road.
Over the years, Chelsea’s badge has gone through some modifications while retaining certain elements.
In 2003, the era of Roman Abramovich began, and in 2005, for the club’s centenary, the logo was changed to reflect the 1953 version, in response to fan requests.
Two years later, the badge underwent another change, transitioning to a stylized version of the rampant lion.
This “restoration” of the badge has resulted in the current design that we see today, which carries forward the historical elements while maintaining a modern and distinct look.
The modern badge includes elements from previous versions, including the gold/yellow elements. The badge, as it is today, has been worn during major triumphs for the club, such as their Champions League victories in 2012 and 2021.
The badge’s association with success and the club’s history makes it a cherished symbol among Chelsea fans.
What Are Chelsea Fans Called?
Chelsea FC fans have been given several other nicknames that reflect their association with the club.
“The Blue Lions” highlights the fierce and powerful nature of the team, while “The Pride of London” shows the fans’ pride in supporting their club from the capital city.
“The Blue Army” is a popular nickname that directly references the blue home uniform and signifies the united support of Chelsea fans.
“The West Londoners” is another nickname often used to refer to Chelsea supporters, emphasizing the geographical location of the club in West London. This nickname not only reflects their allegiance to the team but also highlights the sense of community and local pride among the fans.
Each of these nicknames contributes to the rich fan culture and identity surrounding Chelsea FC, symbolizing the devotion and passion of the supporters who rally behind their team in every match.
Which Other Football Clubs Are called The Blues?
They are several other football clubs around the world that are also referred to as “The Blues.”
Here are some notable examples:
- Birmingham City FC
- Everton FC
- Ipswich Town
- Melbourne City
- FC Porto
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