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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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Chelsea fans hold up banners in reference to Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and his slipping over against their team last year during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on May 10, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 10: Chelsea fans hold up banners in reference to Steven Gerrard of Liverpool and his slipping over against their team last year during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on May 10, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Mike Malley (Contributor)

Growing up in the United States, I had my pick of which Premier League team to support. I started watching the Premier League during the 2013/14 season, which was definitely not Chelsea’s best year in recent memory, but the team had a lot of big name players who represented the badge well. I think the moment from that season that really solidified my Chelsea fandom was the legendary Gerrard slip.

4-year-old me was terrible at making decisions, so I was content to let the fates choose whether I would support Chelsea or Liverpool depending on who won the match. I was pretty confident that the Reds would come out on top, as Luis Suarez was on an absolute scoring tear at the time, but of course, that is not what happened. Demba Ba neatly sliding the ball past Simon Mignolet was a sign to pledge my allegiance to the Blues, a decision that I have never regretted. The next season was even more incredible, with Jose Mourinho leading Chelsea to its fourth EPL title. My love for the club has only grown since, and I doubt there will ever be a team in any sport that captures my imagination as much as that 2013/14 Chelsea side did. Up the Chels forever!

Olaoluwa Nwobodo (Contributor)

When I was 7 years old, I wanted to participate in a silly football game that required everyone to pick a player and a club. I love Drogba, so I asked what club Drogba played for, they told me Chelsea. Since then, I have been a Chelsea fan.

This was around 2003/04 (not sure if I remember the year), I started consistently watching the Blues’ games long after I started supporting them. I was following their results and goings-on, but I only started watching the games around 2014 consistently. I watched the second leg of the 2012 Barca semifinal and the final against Bayern Munich. I remember the time on the clock when Drogba headed home and kept us in the tie against Munich. I remember my heart in my mouth when Chelsea conceded a pen in extra time, only for Cech to simply refuse to lose to Bayern. It was glorious.

I love everything that Chelsea stands for, I love the fact that the Blues can show up anywhere and beat anyone and win whatever it is they came to win, regardless of whether they were outgunned. Watching Chelsea play, for me, is like therapy. For those 90 minutes, I can just relax and forget everything else, regardless of how bad their form is or who the manager is at the time. It’s just a means to escape, even if for just the 90 minutes.

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