Credit: Staffwriter Alex Mosey
Today we continue the story of how Chelsea FC became the club it is today. We have gone from the club’s humble beginnings in 1905 and now we move on the club’s 8th decade of existence. Check out Part 1 if you have not already!
Great Revival
Prior to his resignation in 1981, Brian Mears made a decision that would turn the tide for Chelsea FC on the football pitch positively when he appointed former Wrexham boss, John Neal, as manager. While Ken Bates was battling to keep Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Neal was trying to keep the club in the Second Division, a feat which he achieved in spite of the limited funding he recieved.
The club narrowly escaped relegation to the Third Division in the 1982-83 season, but at the beginning of the next season, he made some key signings that helped change the fortunes of the club on the pitch. Kerry Dixon (from Reading), Pat Nevin (from Clyde), Nigel Spackman (from Bournemouth), David Speedie and Eddie Niedzwiecki (from Wrexham) were signed for relatively small fees while John Hollins came in as player-manager.
With these players, Neal was able to help Chelsea win the Second Division, getting promoted to the First Division in the process. In his next season, the Blues finished 6th and were eliminated in the League Cup semi-final by Sunderland in a 5-2 aggregate win. Neal was unable to continue beyond the end of that season as he retired due to ill-health, leaving Hollins to take charge of the team.
Under Hollins, the blues achieved another 6th place finish in the 1985-86 season, but a steady decline in performances, mainly as a result of disciplinary issues between Hollins and key players like Speedie and Spackman (which caused them to be sold off), caused the club to get relegated again in the 1987-88 season after a play-off defeat to Middlesbrough, under Bobby Campbell (who replaced Hollins just before the end of the season). Campbell eventually helped the team win the Second Division the next season, gaining promotion to the First Division, where the team has remained till date.
Next: The Premier League Begins!