Chelsea FC’s 110th Anniversary: A Brief History Part One

Pre-World War I

Credit: Alexdeangelis86

Chelsea FC failed to win any major trophy for its first 50 years. They gained promotion to the First Division in 1907 after Robertson was replaced by William Lewis (the club’s secretary at the time) as manager, but were relegated in the 1909-10 season under David Calderhead, regained promotion the next season and finished as runners-up to Sheffield United in the F.A. Cup in 1915 under the shadows of World War I, the closest they came to success at the time.

Despite the club’s lack of success, it generated massive crowds for games… 67,000 fans witnessed the club’s league game against Manchester United in 1906, 55,000 for the first ever London Derby in the top division against Woolwich Arsenal in 1907 and 77,792 for the fourth round F.A. Cup tie against Swindon in 1911.

Next: Between The World Wars