The Chelsea Football Club was founded on March 10, 1905, in The Rising Sun pub on London’s Fulham Road. A year earlier, businessman Gus Mears bought the Stamford Bridge complex and wanted to turn it into a football stadium where fans could enjoy online gambling for real money. However, the club refused his offer.
Despite his rejection, Mears decided to form his football club. He initially wanted to call it London FC, Chelsea FC, or The Rising Sun. The club was eventually named after the borough that was adjacent to the area where the stadium was located.
Throughout the next century, the club mainly focused on winning in cup competitions and achieved its only top-flight title in 1955. Despite being known for signing some of the biggest names in the football world, the team could never win major titles consistently. They were relegated during the 1970s and 1980s but eventually rose back to the top flight.
In 1982, the club was expected to be relegated to the third division. However, in the following season, they could secure promotion and stay in the top flight. During the 1987-88 season, they were again relegated, but they were able to bounce back and win the Second Division title.
The appointment of Ruud Gullit as the club’s player-manager was regarded as the turning point in the club’s development. Under his leadership, the team could attract some of the biggest names in the football world. It was also able to debut in the Champions League in 1999.
Although the club was invited to participate in the first European Cup in 1955, it was not allowed to compete by Alan Hardaker, the head of the Football Association at that time. Despite being known for its impressive performance in the Champions League, the team was never able to win it.
In 2002-2003, the team secured its place in the Champions League by defeating Liverpool in the last game of the season. Many believe that if the team had not been able to secure its place in the tournament that year, Roman Abramovich would not have been able to purchase the club. Since Abramovich took over the club, it has become one of the most prominent organizations in world football.
The team was able to secure its place in the elite division of professional football by winning the 2012 Champions League. Despite the criticisms about its history, it is still hard to ignore the club’s current status.