History of Chelsea F.C.

Though today they're one of the most successful clubs in world football, it wasn't always like that across Chelsea F.C.'s 116 year history. Based in Fulham, London and founded over 25 years after the area's resident club (Fulham F.C.) by a businessman named Gus Mears, who needed a use for his newly acquired Stamford Bridge stadium, names like Kensington F.C. and London F.C. were also considered for the new club.

It took just a decade for them to reach the final of a major competition; the 1915 FA Cup final, a 3-0 loss to favourites Sheffield United in one of the last games before World War One disrupted the football calendar. Bear in mind, this was long before vast riches ruled the game, making it easier for new teams to rise up the ranks fast if they had backing from loyal fans. That's exactly what Chelsea had, with the club boasting the highest average attendance in England across multiple seasons pre-1920. Upon professional football's return in 1919-20, they finished third in the First Division; their best showing yet.

But this early success would prove hard to maintain as the century went on. While they remained consistent in the First Division and enjoyed a couple of FA Cup semi-finals, it wasn't until 1955 that Chelsea finally won the coveted league title. Another slightly barren period followed (including a failed treble challenge in 1964-65), which was broken by an FA Cup win in 1970, 55 years after their first final. A European trophy then arrived the following year via the Cup Winners' Cup.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003, kickstarting an unprecedented period of success in the club's history that included five more league titles and FA Cups, as well as two Europa League (2013, 2019) wins. Most importantly, they've twice lifted the biggest prize in all of European football: the UEFA Champions League, in 2012 and most recently in 2021.

What's fascinating about these Champions League victories is that Chelsea, despite their formidable trophy cabinet, went into both as considerable underdogs. In 2012, they stepped into the intimidating Allianz Arena to play Bayern Munich, who were effectively the home team and big favourites as a result. Chelsea had struggled for league form that year and finished sixth, relying on lifting the trophy to play Champions League football again the following year. They impressively contained Bayern's attacking threat and ended up holding their nerve to win on penalties after an absorbing 1-1 stalemate.

Nine years later, their opponents were fellow English side Manchester City (the second time they'd faced a Manchester club in this showpiece match after a loss to Manchester United in 2008). Again, they arrived at the game after a mixed league campaign, only securing a top 4 spot on the final day of the regular season. Headlines coming into the match focused on Manchester City, playing in their first final but one that many people saw as fated for them to win after many years trying to get there. Chelsea, as on so many other occasions, had a different script in mind, and once again contained the favourites in an impressive 1-0 victory.

Following Abramovich's arrival, Chelsea have finished in the league's top 3 in all but four seasons since - though this success has come at a cost, with managers sacked at short notice if they fall below this high standard. Even club legends like Frank Lampard are not protected from such a ruthless business model, but if it continues to bring trophies to the club, all is likely to be forgiven.