The Pride of London
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The Pride of London’s 10,000th article: Chelsea fans’ origin stories

By The Pride of London Staff

Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (L) vies with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Belgian midfielder Leander Dendonckerduring the English Premier Lea gue football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on January 27, 2021. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea's German midfielder Kai Havertz (L) vies with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Belgian midfielder Leander Dendonckerduring the English Premier Lea gue football match between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge in London on January 27, 2021. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Chelsea player Michael Ballack appeals in vain for a penalty right in the face of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo during the Chelsea versus Barcelona Champions League semi-final 2nd leg match at Stamford Bridge on May 6th 2009 in London (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images). An image from the book “In The Moment” published June 2012
Chelsea player Michael Ballack appeals in vain for a penalty right in the face of referee Tom Henning Ovrebo during the Chelsea versus Barcelona Champions League semi-final 2nd leg match at Stamford Bridge on May 6th 2009 in London (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images). An image from the book “In The Moment” published June 2012 /

Anthony Gatt (Contributor)

I have been a football fan since I was very young, but living in Canada, football wasn’t really shown on television in the early 2000s. My early memories came from the World Cup in 2006 when Italy won. Being half Italian and seeing what it meant to all my family members made me love the sport from there forward. Playing on all the FIFA games and when I was child exposed me to teams I didn’t know and in 2009, I came across the club I support today: Chelsea.

It was the Champions League semifinal where the Blues got robbed against “UEFAlona” and I was surprised to see it on the television when I came home from school. The passion of Drogba, Lampard and Michael Ballack even after defeat made me fall in love with this club and from that day forward, I have supported this club in the good, bad and ugly moments.

Nate Hofmann (Contributor)

2007:  Randomly saw Drogba’s 30-yard turnaround half-volley against Everton in a late-night highlight package on a foreign TV channel while on vacation.
2010:  USA vs. England in the World Cup group stage. The big topic was Lampard vs. Steven Gerrard in the England midfield. Didn’t like the cut of Gerrard’s jib; Lampard seemed much cooler.
Also 2010:  Bought that weird 09/10 third kit—with the neon trim and two-tone thick blue hoops—for no real reason other than misplaced adolescent fashion. Still occasionally wear it.
2011:  Happened to channel surf into Fernando Torres making one of his first Chelsea appearances as a sub. Was told he would be excellent, favorite Chelsea player established.
2012:  Happened to channel surf into the last few minutes of the second leg of Chelsea vs. Barcelona. Saw Torres round Victor Valdes to seal the tie, favorite Chelsea player cemented.
Also 2012:  Didn’t get around to watching the Champions League final, but I’m told it was quite good. Beat some no-name German side, apparently.
2013:  Bought a Fernando Torres home shirt. Excellent investment, still occasionally wear it.

I wish it was a sexier origin story, but here we are. Wouldn’t change it for anything, could’ve used a few more Torres goals though.

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