The last time I visited Stamford Bridge was in the 1980s. Of course it's pretty much unrecognisable from that match, the East Stand aside, having witnessed massive investment in its infrastructure.
I picked up the London Underground at Wimbledon and took the District line service to Fulham Broadway, just under 15 minutes duration. The station is right next door to the stadium.
The stands on the way to the ground in The King's Road provide some vibrancy with their memorabilia and flags - of course blue is the colour! I really like these sorts of scenes which I've also observed at other bigger clubs. For example, I recall similar scenes from the streets and concourses around the old Highbury Stadium, at Upton Park and of course Old Trafford.
The images of current and former players around the stadium add some nice reminders of the Club's history. The Peter Osgood statue is excellent.
I hope you enjoy these pictures I took before this FA Cup 3rd round tie.
A map of the Stamford Bridge Stadium.
This is titled "Ossie King Of Stamford Bridge", the statue of former Chelsea great Peter Osgood. Osgood was on the coaching staff at Pompey during the 1980s, during Alan Ball's reign as manager.
The next three pictures show some examples of memoarbilia stands that fans pass on the walk from Fulham Broadway tube station to Stamford Bridge Stadium:
Chelsea memorabilia stand I - this one focussed on football programmes (excellent!)
Chelsea memorabilia stand II
Chelsea memorabilia stand III
Picture I of the facade of The West Stand
Picture II of the facade of The West Stand
The next two pictures are examples of some of the images of Chelsea footballers that add some colour and history as well as act as signage to the Chelsea Museum:
In this picture, I like how the fan reading the football programme blends in with the pictures on the 'Welcome To Stamford Bridge' postcard.
A picture of the corner of the Matthew Harding Stand (West Stand end)
The view down the side of the Matthew Harding Stand with the Chelsea Museum on the left
The Chelsea Museum.
Another view of the Matthew Harding Stand from outside the Chelsea Museum.
The other corner of the Matthew Harding Stand (East Stand corner)
The back of The East Stand I (an 'ugly' piece of architecture IMHO)
The back of The East Stand II (still 'ugly' from this angle too. I know what I'm talking about, I remember The Tricorn in Portsmouth! LOL!)
The Shed End Entrance for away supporters
A large number of stewards were waiting to meet the Pompey fans
Example of the images positioned along the original wall of the old Shed End Terrace, these are really nicely done.
The commemorative plaque on the old Shed End Terrace wall.
BlueThruAndThru
