Embarking on a voyage that commenced on March 10, 1905, with a conversation among the founding directors within a local pub, Chelsea Football Club has experienced an exponential growth, amassing a history spanning nearly 120 years. From its roots as a community club in London SW6 to the global powerhouse it is today, Chelsea FC, alongside all its teams, has garnered a plethora of trophies.
The Chelsea Heritage Partnership, a division within the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust devoted to researching, documenting, and sharing the club’s history, is thrilled to introduce the inaugural segment of an intermittent series of matchday events aimed at breathing life into this rich heritage. Collaborating with Chelsea FC and the Chelsea Museum, the Chelsea Heritage Partnership intends to spotlight remarkable matches and moments intrinsically connected to the day’s opponents.
Initiating this season’s series is a unique event designed to honor the life and career of the beloved player and manager, Gianluca Vialli, who was tragically taken from us all too soon. A commemoration of his life and a celebration of his most memorable Chelsea moments are planned, featuring some of his numerous friends and teammates, as part of the Legends of Europe match on September 9.
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Set to occur in the Tea Bar at Stamford Bridge before the match, this pre-match event, which is free to attend, will provide an up-close view of several of Vialli’s cherished possessions from the Chelsea Museum. Engage with museum staff and members of the Chelsea Heritage Partnership, many of whom will be present to share recollections. Interact with former players who will make appearances throughout the event, capturing photos, collecting autographs, and listening to their memories of Luca and the iconic matches. Who can forget Dennis Wise’s heartfelt message, ‘Cheer Up Luca – We Love You,’ or the image of the bright orange ball traversing a snowy goal line in Tromso? And of course, the unforgettable night in Stockholm!
Whether across land or sea, this is your opportunity to participate and contribute your memories. We invite all Chelsea supporters to submit their personal photographs for inclusion in the event; share your cherished snapshots of you with Luca or any images from his memorable matches. Email them to us at [email protected] by August 31. The finest selections will grace the screens during the event and on the large screens within and around the stadium.
Relive Gianluca Vialli’s remarkable brace in the snow against Norwegian side Tromso in the first leg of the 1997/98 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup second round. A true legend.
On the day, a raffle will be conducted to raise funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Exceptional prizes include:
A jersey autographed by all the Chelsea legends participating in the Legends game
A ball signed by the players used in the Legends game warm-ups
A signed match-worn shirt and a warm-up shirt (two separate prizes) from last season’s Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace match, where we honored Luca
This season’s home shirt in the winner’s chosen size
A signed print by the talented artist Charlie Johnston.
Accessible to Legends game ticket holders, the event will begin at 5:15 pm and conclude at 7 pm, just 15 minutes before the commencement of the Legends game at 7:15 pm. The Tea Bar can be found along the Shed Wall, situated between the Ticket Office and Frankie’s restaurant.
Tickets for the Legends of Europe match against Bayern Munich on September 9 are still available, with proceeds benefiting the Chelsea Foundation and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, an institution that played a pivotal role in the care of Gianluca during his illness.