Spring Issue 2014

NOTES FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN

Beth Wild
As I write this we have four league matches to go, and two matches in the Semi Final of the Champions League. I have no idea what will happen in those six or seven matches but I do know this: if you measure the success of a season on the results of the rst team (a little horse!) during a rebuilding year, then in my mind it has been a success. If you measure it by the highs and lows of the season, weve felt it all!from despair and discouragement, to elation and utter joy. But for me, after all these years, the memories that stick are the ones that happen o" the pitch. The people Ive met along the way. The moments of pure silliness. Laughing until you cry. Watching friends get older and wiser. Marriages, the birth of babies, the occasional break up, and the coming of new friends. People I never thought I would meet have lled my season, like every season, with very special memories. The old friends who, like JT, are solid as a rock and will be with me forever, as well as newer friends who I didnt realize were going to be as great as they are!a little like a number of our rst team players. Then there are those that have moved but still come back on occasion to visit, like a certain Mr. Didier Drogba. So though I will always remember this season, I probably wont remember it for this game or that, but rather for the things that make Chelsea such a wonderful family. To name a few that are very personal to me: Meeting Demba Bob in St. Louis; Lizzi and everyone in Las Vegas; the beaches of Miami and the News Caf with Spy; watching my niece at her rst Chelsea match in DC; arriving at the pub for an early kick o" then realizing I was still in my slippers; the inception and birth of Mo Bacon with good friends on a Saturday night; a Friday with friends and family in OC; being back in SW6 for Everton at home and celebrating a goal none of us thought would ever come; a Blue wedding for Chris and Jessica; Eddie and his Arsenal xation on the podcast; and countless emails, tweets, and Facebook messages with members that made me laugh, cry and be ever so grateful that CIA exists. So when I add it all up . . . WHAT A SEASON! And maybe the best part? Next season is right around the corner! That brings me to membership renewal for next season. Heres something I need you all to consider. We all have our favorite player, and we thrill when they do well. But we all know that no matter how good they are, it takes 11 men on that eld of green to beat the other team. No matter how amazing he is, a lone Eden Hazard against the worst 11 imaginable will not get us the win. And thats exactly the way CIA works. It takes all of us working as a team to make sure that our members get the chance to make their dreams come true. We all know that membership in CIA helps keep this great club going. It allows us to do things that as a collective are amazing. The website, the new bulletin board, Twitter, Facebook, the pubs, and all of that. Sponsors seek us out because of our numbers and high prole. But what do you get for your membership? For only $10 you get a member packet, a membership card, a small gift, discounts on various items from sponsors, and access to members only content on the website, Twitter, and Facebook. Those are the things that actually have a bit of monetary value. But how do you put a value on being part of this group? The friends near and far, the contacts, the opportunities to meet up and have a Chelsea family in so many cities across the country? And to make sure Chelsea knows that the CIA is a strong, growing group of passionate supporters we must make sure that all of our members are a#liated. If you dont know how to a#liate, ask your chapter head or me and we can help you. According to the club, only a#liates

Notes from the Chairwoman Vegas Trip Update 50 Years and Still True Blue Regional Club Updates CHELSEA/esque Blog New CIA Sponsor Volunteers Needed!

(and of course True Blues) will get access to tickets for the Chelsea section for future summer tour matches. And then the next step of Chelsea membership is True Blue. It might not be for everyone, but for those who can do it is an extra step. What does being True Blue mean? Well, its like being on the rst team. Its a chance to play, to go to see the Blues in England. When you pair up a True Blue membership with membership in CIA it qualies you to purchase tickets through CIA for regular season matches without hassling with the required general member loyalty points or being up in the middle of the night trying to get tickets online. True Blue members also get access to ChelseaTV online. And then there are the discount deals that the Chelsea megastore o"ers to True Blue members only. But here is the rub!the rules for accessing tickets not only require that you have CIA membership and be True Blue, but that your regional chapter also be qualied. If a regional chapter has less than 20 True Blue members, they are a Bronze Club and do not get access to tickets for their True Blue members. If they have more than 20 but less than 40, they are a Silver Club and have access to home tickets and then only if there are any left after Gold and Platinum Clubs. If they have 40 but not 50, they are a Gold Club and have access to home tickets and away tickets, but only after Platinum Clubs. And, nally, if a chapter has over

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50 True Blue members they get rst pick of tickets for ALL matches, home or away, as well as access to Semi Final tickets. Its just like our rst team. One member with a True Blue membership wont be able to do much with that membership. It takes the rest of the group to help them make their dream come true and get a ticket to watch the Blues during the season. I know thats a lot to get your head around, so if you have questions please ask a longtime member, a chapter head or me. So if you wonder why I push so hard for membership, thats why! I want all members that are True Blue to get any ticket they want, but I cant make that happen if we dont all work together. We had a few issues this season with members wanting tickets but their club wasnt Platinum or Gold and we had to push at the last minute to get the qualication so that the member could go. And in a couple of cases these were longtime members who have worked hard for CIA. So when I hear a member say Im not going to get a True Blue this year because I am not going to the Bridge, I went last year, I dont think they thought to thank the other 49 or more members that helped them get that ticket. And my question to them is why not do a little to help others this year? I know that times are tough nancially for some, and I would never question someones nancial priorities, but what I am saying is think of the team. Think about how you felt the last time you went to the Bridge, and how nice it was that your fellow members helped make that happen. If you were glad they were there for you, think about being there for others. We are a team!and it takes a team! This season, for a variety of reasons, it has been tougher to get tickets than any year I can remember. The need to have that Platinum status for each of the seven Regional Clubs is vitally important, and getting your chapter there sooner rather than later helps those that want to go to a match early in the season. I dont want to ever have to say no to a member because their regional club doesnt qualify for a ticket. And I dont think any of you want that to happen either. nd Lastly, DONT FORGET VEGAS! The 2 annual CIA weekend in Vegas is scheduled. You can nd information on the website, and I hope loads of you can make it. Come to enjoy each others company, to laugh, sing, drink a little, talk Chelsea and just enjoy being part of CIA! I am so looking forward to it and I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! WIN OR LOSE UP THE BLUES! CAREFREE

Dont Miss the Vegas Summer Cheeky Weekend 2014!

Make your reservations for the second Annual Chelsea in America Summer Cheeky Weekend! Last years event was such a great success we have decided to make this an annual tradition, so this is a *not-to-be-missed* event! We are back at the Cosmopolitan Hotel right in the middle of the World famous Las Vegas strip, with the same rates as last year ($169 per night). Various upgrades are available including their best suite which includes a wraparound balcony for $294. The dates are Friday 13th thru Monday 16th June, but we encourage you to arrive Thursday so as to make the most of the four days, and you can add additional nights up to 4 nights before and 3 nights after. A few event details: Friday (All Day) - Relax, unwind and meet your fellow Blues ! Friday 5:00PM - Welcome Reception ! ! Saturday 2:00PM - England vs. Italy World Cup Match ! Saturday 9:00PM - Star on the Stool with Chelsea legend Michael Duberry and Chelsea TV's Neil Spy Barnett ! Sunday TBD AM - CIA members Indoor Soccer Charity Tournament ! Monday 3:00PM - USA vs. Ghana World Cup Match The cuto" for reservations is fast approaching! Email [email protected] for more information or visit the Events section of www.ChelseaInAmerica.com.

CHELSEA/esque - A MustFollow Blog from Chris Axon!

Want to experience match day from a true fans perspective? Check out Chris Axons blog CHELSEA/esque for write ups of his experiences following the club we all love. Its a must-read for any Chelsea supporter. Heres how he describes it: I am a Chelsea Football Club home and away season-ticket holder and this site details my travels around the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond in support of my club. CHELSEA/esque can be found at www.caxonblog.wordpress.com and Chris regularly posts links to new entries on the CIA Facebook page and the CIA bulletin board. We cant wait for the next one!

bluesletter team
A huge thanks to everyone who helps make the Bluesletter possible! Editor: Josh Hampton Layout: Jamie Edwards Graphics: Raciel Diaz Chairwoman: Beth Wild

Blast from Vegas Past: Danny, Dan & Lizzi at the pool after a VERY late night!

50 YEARS AND STILL TRUE BLUE

By Chris Bowley
In December 1963, a six year old boy got the exciting news that his Uncle Colin (an avid supporter of West Ham United) was going to take his nephew to his rst professional football match. The match was on Saturday (they were all on Saturdays back then) December 13th at Upton Park (a.k.a. The Boleyn Ground) in a Division One London derby against cross town rivals Chelsea FC. Uncle Colin was so pleased to have his nephew tag along; he didnt have any children back then (he later fathered Julie and Helen, beautiful twin girls who actually went on to marry twin men, but thats another story). Colin and his nephew approached the ground, they stopped at a vendor selling scarves , rosettes and rattles standard equipment for young supporters and asked for a claret and blue rosette for his nephew. Its his rst Hammers match, we need to start him o" right. But to Uncle Colins shock and consternation, his nephew looked up at the rack of rosettes and said, No, I want a blue and white one! And thats how my love a"air with the Boys from the Bridge started. I was the nephew who disappointed my poor Uncle Colin, forcing him through the embarrassment of leading me to the front of the North Stand (where all the kids were ushered) and planting me in front of all his Hammers friends while trying to explain my apparent colour blindness. Its incredible to think that in December this year I will have been following this club for 50 years 50 years of memories, some very hazy and some so vivid I can transport myself to the place and time by simply closing my eyes. I cant remember much about that rst encounter I had the program until my Mum decided to clean out the attic when she realized I was going to be staying in the US after my emigration in 1983. But thanks to the wonders of the internet I can go back and nd the line up for that match: Peter Bonetti, Chopper Harris, Eddie McCreadie, Marvin Hinton, John Mortimore, Terry Venables, Frank Upton, Frank Blunstone, Bert Murray, Bobby Tambling and Barry Bridges. The great Tommy Docherty was Manager. The Hammers side included that great 1966 Heroic Trio Bobby Moore, Geo" Hurst and Martin Peters. (Any other Ex-Pats have goose bumps right now?) Its impossible to capture even the lions share of Chelsea memories Ive experienced in 50 years it would be a book and this is just an article so Ill share just a few of my favourites. 1968 I was 11 years old and enjoying life as the son of a Pub Landlord (my Dad managed 3 pubs for Courage Brewery in the 60s and early 70s). During this year he managed The Wolf in Dedworth, just outside Windsor. One night he yelled up stairs for me to come down and said he had a surprise for me. He walked me into the saloon bar and who should be sitting in the corner table? None other than The King and his Prince Ossie and Ian Hutchinson were in my Dads pub! Dad took me over and introduced me. What an amazing moment and Peter was so gracious. I got to see him several times, even played darts with him, over the next couple of years. (Fast forward now to 2005 I was honored to be selected as one of 4 New York Blues members who travelled to The Bridge to present JT with the NYB Player of the Year Award. While waiting in the lobby, Ossie came in with his wife, Lynn, and I just couldnt resist the urge to go up and say hallo. I apologized for bothering him and said he wouldnt remember me, but we played darts together in The Wolf in Dedworth when I was a youngster, informing him that my Dad was the landlord. He immediately replied with the question Youre Rons boy? I get chills even today remembering that event after all those years he remembered my Dad Mr. Osgood was pure Class. (*Side note: Weird coincidence but Dad passed away at Wexham Park Hospital and was cremated at Slough Crematorium Ossie had a heart attack while attending a funeral at Slough Crematorium and was pronounced dead at Wexham Park Hospital funny old world, innit? God Rest both their Souls). 1970 Winning the EPL in 2005, the double in 2010 and the Champions League in 2012 all obviously rank right up there in terms of highlights but I truly believe that 1970 remains the year that will never be forgotten by anyone who has supported Chelsea for more than

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40 years. 1969/70 was a decent year by Chelsea standards, we nished 3rd in Division One behind Champions Everton and had been battling all year with the most unlikely club to become arch rivals Leeds United (Yes, I still ******* hate Leeds). Second place in the league eventually went to Leeds, by just 2 points in an era when teams only got 2 points for a win, so you can imagine the set up for what became known as one of the greatest FA Cup Final match ups of all time Chelsea vs Leeds. So it was exciting enough that we were going to see these two rival teams battling it out for the Cup. But, guess what? For some reason totally unknown to me, my Dad was a Leeds supporter. You can only imagine the atmosphere at my home (which, by the way, had changed from The Wolf to The Hope in Windsor by then). The match was a 3 oclock kick-o" on Saturday and these were the days when the pubs would close at 2:30PM and re-open at 5:30 or 6:00PM, so Dad kicked the lunch time crowd out and headed up to the living room, where he and I sat side by side in front of a black and white telly taking in every minute of Kenneth Wolstenholmes poetic commentary. For 90 minutes we watched the stylish CFC get knocked o" the pitch by the thugs in white, Eddie Gray running rings around David Webb, Billy Bremner and Norman Hunter kicking more shins and ankles than footballs, Paul Madeley hacking Charlie Cooke at every opportunity, Chopper Harris getting revenge whenever Johnny Giles or Allan Clarke dared to cross his path, Eddie McCreadie messing up the clearance that let a weak Jackie Charlton header go in, Peter Housemans equalizer on a Gary Sprake fumble right on half time, Mick Jones putting Leeds ahead (by now in brown due to the mud) with only a few minutes remaining, then Hutch clutching an equalizer from a Hollins cross at the death leading to a scoreless extra time period. I can still remember my feeling of sheer exhaustion and the exasperation on Dads face after he was convinced Jones had won it for Leeds (by the way, neither Chelsea nor Leeds had ever won the FA Cup so it had equal signicance to both teams). Then, after the heart beats had returned to normal, the realization that we had to go through it all again in a replay!

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REGIONAL CLUB UPDATES

Bayou City Blues It's never a dull match day when you're at The Brewery Tap in Houston watching a Chelsea match with the Bayou City Blues. Since the beginning of the season the number of attendees has grown to an average of 60 per match. Downtown Houston is well aware of our presence due to the singing and clapping. The BCB's have also help several ra$es in recent weeks to raise money for our Kick Childhood Cancer charity, with our next big event coming this July. If youre in Houston on a match day, we would like to extend an invite your way, and don't forget if possible, donate to our charity at www.cccfund.org. BCB'S WE ARE HERE!!! Bluegrass Blues Bluegrass Blue Kailyn Conner had a very Blue Christmas, indeed. She visited London while on holiday break and was lucky enough to catch our match against Swansea at the Bridge. She sat in the Shed Upper (tickets she was easily able to get by being a CIA/True Blue member) and cheered on the lads to a 1-0 win. The Bluegrass Blues banner also made the trip, but after a few harsh glares from the stewards, she decided not to risk having it conscated. But we can still say its been to the Bridge!

at 6 AM, now the owner (himself a Chelsea fan) knows he can count on us every weekend. We have had visitors from the Bayou City Blues and the DC Blues. Loose plans for the future include road trips to visit with other nearby chapters like Louisville, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Chattanooga; a Home and Away series next season with Liverpool and Manchester United fan groups in Nashville (we will visit their pub when Chelsea are playing away, and they will come to Fleet Street when we play at Stamford Bridge); and some summer activities to keep the group together. The Music City Blues are

Beltway Blues Newlyweds Chris and Kate of the Beltway Blues celebrated their nuptials with a True Blue wedding!

We also welcomed the newest Bluegrass Blue, Eden Arthur Dahm! Little Eden has already accompanied proud papa Josh Dahm to the pub to watch (or more accurately, sleep through) his rst match.

starting to feel like family, and like all happy southern families, we always welcome more at the table and enjoy visits from out of town friends! Motor City Blues

Motor City Blues out in full force! Oklahoma Blues

Music City Blues It was only last summer that two strangers met via Twitter to form the Music City Blues. With Fleet Street Pub as our home base, we have grown from a small group of 4 to an average size group of 15 Chelsea fans singing and chanting each weekend. Indeed, while we used to have to work with other clubs (e.g., the Arsenal group) to guarantee 10 customers in order to get the bar opened

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The pitch was so badly damaged by the relentless slide tackles and scraps in the mud, the replay had to be played at Old Tra"ord and this time I only have three memories tattooed in my brain the diving header from Ossie that tied the match at 1-1, the unbelievable sight of David Webb leaping at the far post to nudge the winner in extra time and my poor Dad I only remember seeing Dad cry 4 times in my life, when Mum had a dreadful accident that he blamed himself for, the day my little sister was born, when he had to have his favourite dog put to sleep and that day, April 29, 1970, when he had to watch his son leaping around the living room as he sat totally dejected. Many years later, I had the incredible pleasure and honour of sharing the 2005, 2006 and 2010 EPL title winning matches and that match against Bayern Munich in their backyard in May 2012 with my son and I know that he can also say that he has only seen his Dad cry 4 times but luckily they were tears of sheer unadulterated joy. Now I hope I can celebrate my 50th year as a Chelsea supporter with some silverware courtesy of The Special One but you know what, having felt everything from euphoria at seeing the Blues reach the highest heights to despair at being relegated or watching a JT penalty go wide of the post, I know that this roller coaster ride has, and will continue to be, the best fun a supporter of any team can have and I will be Chelsea til I die! By the way, the score at Upton Park on December 13, 1963? West Ham United 2 Chelsea 2.

Are You an O!cial CIA A!liate Yet?

Its of vital importance that every CIA Member register with CFC as an a#liated member. It just takes a few seconds but helps us show the club how serious our support is here in the States. The more support there is, the more Chelsea supports us back! If you havent already, please take ve minutes to ll out the A#liate sign-up form at theblues.chelseafc.com/popups/ a#liated_member.shtml For family memberships, make sure to sign up each member of your family because they count too! True Blue members do not need to register as a#liates. And you only have to do it once! You wont need to re-register each year. Once you have a#liated, let your Chapter Head know. Unfortunately, Chelsea doesnt tell us who goes through the a#liation process, so to keep our records straight you have to let us know so we can keep track in our records. Its also been brought to our attention that the ChelseaFC.com server is often down from 7pm EST until after midnight. Keep that in mind when trying to a#liate or become a True Blue member. Thanks for your help!

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The Oklahoma Blues were sad to report they didnt have a group shot from the Arsenal drubbing to share, but they had a pretty good reason!they were too busy harassing Gooners!% San Diego Blues

San Diego Blues at the Pub! Tulsa OK Blues If youre in the Tulsa area, Rs Bar & Grill is now the o#cial pub for Tulsa OK Blues' matches and hangouts. Come on out and join us on match day!

New CIA Sponsor!

CIA Needs Volunteers!

If you didnt know, CIA is a 100% volunteer organization and we are always looking for volunteers to help, both on the local chapter level and nationally. So what are you good at? Writing? Web design? PR? Social Media? Any time you can give is always greatly appreciated. Weve had a lot of our members step up in the past and wed love to keep it up. If youre interested in helping out, let your chapter head know or get in touch with Beth at [email protected].

There is no greater match day tradition than having a pie and a pint at the half. And now you can enjoy that experience in your home, pub or event with pork pies from our newest CIA sponsor, The English Pork Pie Company! They are o"ering 10% o" special for all friends of CIA, and for members theres an even better deal for 20% o" all orders from now until the end of May. Just go to englishporkpiecompany.com and place your order with the checkout promo code Champions1905. They are also on Facebook and on Twitter at @EPPC. We hear you wont nd better pork pies here in the States! So if youre planning a chapter event or your pub is interested in buying from them, give them a call and mention youre a#liated with CIA.