CHELSEA

LIONS AND WAR VETERANS

Chelsea’s emblem has existed in five different guises since the club was founded in 1905 and, apart from the four big alterations, has been modified a number of times to adjust to the market, and the tastes and fashions of the day.

What few may know is that Chelsea’s crest has a close relationship to the British military. Today’s lion is a relatively late idea and wasn’t introduced until 1953. Until then, an image of a Chelsea Pensioner represented the club. The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded in 1682 for veterans of the British Army, and Chelsea FC chose to honour the institution – leading to the club’s first nickname, the Pensioners. In the early days, the emblem did not appear on the shirts but only on the match programmes.

The Pensioner represented the club until 1952, when a temporary solution replaced the original before making way for today’s blue lion, an emblem, among others, inspired by the Abbot of Westminster (hence the staff). This emblem remained until 1986, when the legendary owner Ken Bates, who led Chelsea to great triumphs in the 1990s, both simplified and modernised the lion. Roman Abramovich’s arrival at Chelsea in 2003 saw the return of the traditional lion.

CLUB: Chelsea FC

NICKNAMES: The Pensioners and The Blues

FOUNDED: 1905

STADIUM: Stamford Bridge, London (41,631 capacity)

HISTORIC PLAYERS: Peter Bonetti, Peter Osgood, Pat Nevin, Gianfranco Zola, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Fernando Torres.

1905–1952. The Chelsea Pensioners are honoured to this day. When the club won their first league title under Abramovich, the Pensioners stood to attention as a sign of respect for the players and their manager. This ritual was repeated in 2010. And, in turn, the red detail on the collar of the players’ jerseys in the 2010/11 season honoured the Pensioners.

1952–1953. While waiting for the new emblem, which was launched in 1953, this temporary solution was used: the club’s initials against a blue background, which was suggested by the newly appointed manager Ted Drake. It was during this period that the club’s nickname the Blues began to take hold.

1953–1986. The lion symbolising Chelsea today was originally taken from the family crest of the then-club president Earl Cadogan. The lion’s staff comes from the Abbot of Westminster and the roses represent England. The emblem has been modified several times through the years.

1986–2005. In 1982 Ken Bates bought Chelsea for £1 and pushed through a number of changes. Among them were this updated lion, introduced in 1986. The lion changed colours during the 1990s but was around to share the golden days with, among others, Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli and Dennis Wise.

2005–present. In the early days of the Roman Abramovich era, the club celebrated its centennial. This was marked by the reintroduction of the emblem from the 1950s, albeit in a modernised version, which makes it the emblem that has represented the club during its most successful period.

Didier Drogba wearing the 2004 version of the Chelsea club crest. The Ivory Coast striker made 381 appearances and scored 165 goals, helping the west London club win the Premier League and FA cup four times each and the Champions League for the first time.