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

Post-World War II

Credit: Staff writer Taylor Anderson

On 13th November 1945, not long after World War II, Chelsea FC faced FC Dynamo Moscow, reigning champions of Soviet Union, at Stamford Bridge as part of a series of games played by the Russian side against English clubs in its tour of the United Kingdom to celebrate a return to peace-time. The game ended in a 3-3 draw and was witnessed by an estimated crowd of over 100,000 spectators.

Under Birell, Chelsea FC continued spending big, signing players like Tommy Lawton, Len Goulden and Tommy Walker, yet never going beyond 13th place in the league and narrowly escaping relegation in 1951. The club came closest to winning a trophy when they lost a replay against Arsenal 3-0 after an initial 1-1 draw in the F.A. Cup semi-final in 1952.

Birell resigned not long after, but not before overseeing the development of an extensive new youth and scouting programme along with Dickie Foss, Dick Spence and Jimmy Thompson, which witnessed the emergence of players like Jimmy Greaves, Peter Osgood, Ray Wilkins, Peter Bonetti, Ron Harris etc, players who made up the core of Chelsea’s squad for the next three decades and have remained symbols of the club till date.

Next: Modernisation and League Success