Chelsea Wall

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The club was founded in 1905 and named after neighbouring area Chelsea and play their home games at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won their first major domestic trophy, the First Division championship, in 1955. They won their first Premier League title in the 2004–05 season. Chelsea won their first European trophy in 1971, lifting the Cup Winners' Cup, which they won again in 1998. They went on to win their first UEFA Champions League title in 2012 and repeated the feat in 2021. Chelsea have won the UEFA Europa League twice, in 2013 and 2019. After winning the UEFA Conference League in 2025, Chelsea became the first club to win all four main UEFA competitions, as well as all UEFA Men's competitions. They also won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021 and 2025, the latter being the contest's first iteration with 32 teams. Chelsea share rivalries with fellow London teams Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, and also with Leeds United.

In Their Own Story

In 1952, Ted Drake took over as manager and modernised the club by removing the Chelsea pensioner crest and improving youth development. His shrewd signings led Chelsea to their first major trophy, the First Division championship, in the 1954–55 season. The momentum continued into the 1960s under Tommy Docherty, who built a talented young side that challenged for a treble. They won the League Cup in 1964–65 but fell short in the league and FA Cup. Under Dave Sexton, Chelsea finally secured their first European honour in 1971 with a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph over Real Madrid in Athens, following an FA Cup win in 1970 against Leeds United. Decades later, Roman Abramovich purchased the club for £60 million in June 2003, paying off £80 million of debt. Under José Mourinho, Chelsea won back-to-back league titles in 2004–05 and 2005–06. The pinnacle arrived in 2012 when Roberto Di Matteo led the team to their first UEFA Champions League title, beating Bayern Munich on penalties. This victory made them the first London club to win the trophy, a moment that cemented the bond between the squad and the fans who had waited since 1955 for such glory.

Reader's Guide

Chelsea F.C. was founded on 10 March 1905 at The Rising Sun pub (now The Butcher's Hook), opposite the present-day main entrance to the ground on Fulham Road. The club won promotion to the First Division in their second season. Ted Drake was appointed manager in 1952 and led Chelsea to their first major trophy – the League championship – in 1954–55. Under Dave Sexton, Chelsea won the FA Cup in 1970 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1971. In 1982, Ken Bates acquired the club for £1. Bates reunited the stadium freehold with the club in 1992. Under José Mourinho, Chelsea won back-to-back league championships in 2004–05 and 2005–06, an FA Cup in 2007, and two League Cups in 2005 and 2007. In 2012, Chelsea won their first UEFA Champions League title, becoming the first London club to win the trophy.

Did You Know?

• Chelsea won their first Premier League title in the 2004–05 season.
• Chelsea became the first club to win all four main UEFA competitions after winning the UEFA Conference League in 2025.
• The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup was the first iteration with 32 teams.
• Chelsea was founded on 10 March 1905 at The Rising Sun pub.
• Ken Bates bought back the Stamford Bridge freehold in 1992.