Chelsea’s 120th anniversary is a reminder that the club’s history predates Roman Abramovich’s takeover, with a long tradition of success, entertaining football, and loyal support.
Despite persistent claims that Chelsea "did not exist before 2003," the club boasts a rich history long before Roman Abramovich's transformative ownership. While the Russian billionaire’s investment propelled Chelsea into a sustained era of dominance, the Blues had already won major honours, including league titles, FA Cups, and European trophies.
Chelsea were known as a cup team, reaching multiple FA Cup finals and winning the competition in 1970 in front of one of the largest TV audiences in UK history. They also made their mark in Europe, winning the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 and again in 1998, before their first Champions League qualification in 1999. The club’s legacy includes legendary players like Gianfranco Zola, Peter Osgood, and Jimmy Greaves, as well as consistently strong support, ranking among the highest in English football attendance records. Chelsea’s story is far bigger than just the past two decades.
