VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 FEB 2010

DEEP FROM THE HEART

Notes from the Chairwoman
Hi guys, even at stupid-thirty in the morning,
! sharing it with a few die-hards is always
TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WE’RE HAVIN’ A good.
LAUGH! Okay, well maybe not a laugh,
but a guarded smile and a bit of nerves This year started out about the same,
• Deep from and still relief. It is, as they say the with the game not being shown and then
business end of the season, loads of it was... with a little organization, it was
the Heart games, still in 3 competitions, and top decided: MEET UP. I have to tell you,
of the league (no I can’t say it enough). there is nothing I would trade to have to
• My First And why not, I think if you look back live through that time zone - it is

Chelsea through our history there were more not

so great times than there were times like
murder! I was up at half 2 in the
morning to be ready for Sarah to come
Match these. I was reminded of that by a text I
got from Chris Axon after the match
and pick me up to be at the pub at 4:30!
That is ridiculous, and to think these
• 5 Questions yesterday: “Last time we came here, we
lost 3-0 and were staring relegation to
nutters do it week in and week out. For
all of us on the right side of the country:
For... Division Three in the face. Can’t be the no complaining until you face a 4:30am
same club, can it? ;-)” It made me smile kick o"! Sarah and I were the first to the
• Boston Blues because how many times I have thought pub and were greeted by the sole
that? So I replied with the first thing that employee, who looked us in the face and
Meet-Up came to mind: “Yes, my dear, there is a told us "YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY!" with a
Santa (Roman Abromovic).” And you smile. Quickly the pub filled up, and I
know that is sort of what I believe these mean filled up, weren’t there about 20
days. Most days it is like waking up on or more of us? Unbelievable! Co"ee and
Christmas morning when I was five. doughnuts (provided by Huby and Julie)
Seeing the wonder of the tree and the at the ready, a song in our voice and
magic that is Christmas for little Chelsea in our hearts, we were ready to
children, and the feeling of how lucky I go. It was great to see everyone, and just
was to be able to have all of that! And sad it wasn’t longer. I can tell you if you
that about sums it up, how lucky I am. ever get to within 100 miles of Southern
! California, let them know, they treat you
I had a brilliant month since last I wrote like a VIP. I love those guys!
all of you. Work is coming quick and
strong, so keeping me plenty busy. I And we had a few other meet ups -
know I have heard from some that they Danny and I for dinner, to catch up since
are in the same boat, working their tails our trip to London, then Monday for
o", but also from a few more that they Huby’s birthday get together. There
had found jobs. What a relief! I hate were about 10 of us back at the pub at a
hearing about part of the “family” out of normal time. And we laughed, drank,
work, facing hard times, so those of you laughed, ate, drank and laughed some
that are still trying: heads up, things more. You know it is the thing I miss the
seem to be getting a bit better. And as most on match day, that get-together in
in most years, I had a business trip in the pub before and after the match. And
late January, and luckily it once again that night reminded me so much of it.
brought me to Southern California, The chatter, the banter, the good
home of the OC Hooligans! What a joy it natured teasing and the laughter, and
is to join them for a match. Last year it luckily Huby didn’t arrive in his birthday
Danny and Beth at the Chelsea CPO was an FA Cup game, but we weren’t on suit and Cech helmet; we were saved
Luncheon, presenting the money the CIA television, so we set up my laptop and
streamed the match on the radio and Continued on Page 2
raised for the Past Players' Trust!
 PAGE 2

Continued from Page 1 a bit more organized.

from that. So that is a reminder to all of
you - if you get a chance, when you get 5)!We are talking to the Megastore and
a chance, get together for more than a should have news very soon about
match! Sitting with friends over a beer or Chelsea crested, CIA embroidered
a Coke and having a chat, it is the best merchandise. This first run will be
time. You find out how great your limited, but I think expanded compared
Chelsea family is, you find friends that to what we have had in the past. As soon
become even more dear, you share as I get word, it will be on the board.
interests, debate issues and have a place
to call your own, in the company of 6)!We have finalized membership. If you
friends! And if you are travelling for signed up and have not gotten your
business or whatever, what a great way permissions on the board, please bare
to break the drag of working long hours with us a couple more days while we get
away from home then meeting up and all of that data from the database to the
having a laugh! board to get you all your permissions.
! But if you notice you don’t have your
So just a little bit of business: ability to see the members section,
attached avatars and that stu", let me
1)!We have posted the first version of know. Rich is working as fast as he can!
our member survey. We are interested in
what you liked and didn’t like about last 7)!And I hear there is a great new set of
summer and a few other things. This is competitions from our Twitter guru! So if
your chance to help us make the next you haven’t signed up for us on Twitter,
tour even better. We can’t do that if we you could be missing out. I hear this
don’t hear from you. Please take a month we are starting a competition for
moment to tell us the pluses and the a signed first team player photo! Just
minuses. You can find the survey by look for CFCInAmerica on Twitter and
going to follow us. And don’t forget the Facebook
http://www.ChelseaInAmerica.com/ pages we have, CIA and locally.
survey
Thanks to Chris and Daniel for creating 8)!I also have been talking to Neil
the survey! Barnett and it looks like we could be
hearing loads more from him on the
2)!We are getting ready for the Dallas Football Show on Sirius 125. If you have
Cup! In the next few days or so, I will be it, tune in Wednesday afternoons; he
trying to figure some things out, so stay would love to hear from you! If you don’t CONTRIBUTORS:
tuned to the board for more information. have Sirius but have XM instead, I
If you are planning on making the drive/ believe it is free (even without the Sirius A big thanks to everyone who
flight for it, please let us know. extra package) and running on channel helps make the CIA Bluesletter
421, but I am not sure of that number, I possible!
3)!Our spring trip is decided, and I have will post it on the board. But listen in!
heard from the club that loyalty points !
Editor: Jamie Edwards
will not be needed (yes we had a scare Okay, I think that is about it for now. I
am sure I am forgetting something, or Chairwoman: Beth Wild
about that), so Stoke at home it is. For Logo and Graphics: Raciel Diaz
all True Blue and registered a#liates (if maybe even many things. There is much
going on, and you can be as involved as Dates to Remember: Tel Stevens
you registered with Chelsea not just got
you like. So if you are wondering what Proofreaders: Dorothy Cooper
a CIA membership), ticket info will be up
soon. your membership benefits get you, and Sarah Drake
besides the upcoming DVD, and more
4)!The DVD is nearly finished, THANKS stu" on the board, then get involved and CIA Crest done in collaboration
TO BILL! What a mess we gave him, but find out, help with the newsletter, sign with Who Are Ya Designs -
he has been such a star getting stuck in up for the podcast, join us on Facebook, www.whoareyadesigns.com
and sorting it out and turning out a help plan the Dallas Cup, get ready for
great product. We are just about to get it the Spring Tour... none of this happens
Want to contribute or make a
all done, then burn them and get them without you!
! suggestion? Send Jamie an
in cases and in the mail to you. Sorry for email at newsletter@
the delay but it was our first try and CAREFREE!
! chelseainamerica.com!
everything that could go wrong did go
wrong. Hopefully the next time it will be Beth
 PAGE 3

MY FIRST CHELSEA MATCH: 1974

By Chris Axon
“Why do you support Chelsea, then, and Chelsea Football Club. Chelsea live. This was unheard of
Chris?” is a question which I have been amongst the village kids. I was only
asked at least five-hundred times I I have no recollection of the 1972 eight remember. At last the great day
reckon. Well, I started primary school in League Cup Final loss to Stoke, but I do arrived and it is amazing I remember so
my Somerset village at Easter 1970. The remember hearing “Blue Is The Colour” much. My father was a local shopkeeper
Cup Final was earlier than usual that on the radio and that really a"ected me and so he pulled a few strings to get the
year because of England’s preparations too. I guess I must’ve seen Chelsea on Saturday o". Unfortunately, he wasn’t in
for the Mexico World Cup. Not sure of TV – I only have vague recollections of great health at the time. He had been
the exact dates, but school began for me the old East stand which came down in diagnosed with throat cancer and was
just as Chelsea beat Leeds in the FA Cup the summer of 1972, though. The first due radiation treatment in May.
Final. I have no recollections of either FA Cup Final I saw was the 1972 one. Thankfully, this was totally successful,
the first game at Wembley or the replay. but he was feeling a bit under-the-
But I do know that I used to watch the The first Chelsea game I can honestly weather on this momentous day.
older schoolboys play football in the remember seeing on TV was the 1972
schoolyard at break times. One team opener against mighty Leeds. Their He drove to London via the Wiltshire
would be Leeds, one team would be goalie was injured, I think Peter Lorimer countryside and then the M4 motorway.
Liverpool or the next week, Manchester replaced him and Chelsea won 4-0. I We had arranged to park our car at a
United and Arsenal. I think (and this is think Ossie scored. nursing home at Park Royal, where an
the story I always tell) I heard that either uncle had recently been staying. I
Chelsea were a good team or they had I remember – specifically – the build-up suppose we reached there at around
just won a big game, so one team would to the March 1973 FA Cup game with 12.30pm. We then walked the short
be Chelsea on one particular day. I think Arsenal. I remember Ossie’s goal in the distance to Park Royal tube station and
that is how it all began. Who knows… first game and then watching the action caught the train to Fulham Broadway. I
maybe on that fateful day, I perhaps on the 9.30pm news of the replay at recently visited Park Royal station and it
joined in with the bigger boys for the Highbury. I remember Bobby Charlton’s did bring back memories…I recalled
first time. It would be nice to think so. last ever game – at Chelsea - being walking over the footbridge over the
Anyway, from the littlest of acorns do shown on TV highlights in May 1973. tracks and the art deco façade of the
mighty oaks grow – from that initial station. In March 1974, my heart must
mention of the name Chelsea, they Anyway – you get the picture…I loved have been beating fast as we boarded
became my team. playing football at school break times, the eastbound train. I had been on a
on Saturdays, in the street, I was a tube train before, but this felt so
Andy Cox was Arsenal, Paul Seviour was football fan and Chelsea was my team. exciting – doing what thousands of
Liverpool, Tony Heywood and David Imagine my absolute elation when – Chelsea fans do each week…this is what
Rideout were Leeds, but I was Chelsea. without prompting from me – my stuck with me the most I think; a small
From 1970, I began looking out for their parents announced (either on Christmas boy from Somerset being a Londoner for
results, but my memories are not Day 1973 or soon after) they would take the day.
particularly great about individual me to see Chelsea play. In London. At
games. I can’t remember the 1971 game Stamford Bridge. I still get chills when I My first game sticks with me so many
in Athens for example. To be honest, my think of that feeling 33 years later. reasons. I can recall waiting in line at the
parents weren’t particularly big sport bottom of the West Stand steps at the
fans…I think my football genes came By a cruel twist of fate, of course, both turnstiles. As the West Stand was the
from my maternal grandfather who had my idol Peter Osgood and Alan Hudson stand with the TV gantry, I wasn’t
played football and cricket for the village left Chelsea in February of 1974, a particularly sure what the stand looked
in his youth (and incidentally, visited month ahead of my Chelsea debut on like. I distinctly remember walking up
Stamford Bridge when he was a young March 16th. I was upset, but the thought the banked steps as if it was yesterday…
man, the only ground he ever went to…if of seeing the team in the flesh more I can recall the sense of anticipation, the
I am right, he favoured Newcastle and than made up for this. My mother wrote noises of the crowd and specifically the
Villa for some reason.) to the club asking for ticket and travel blue paintwork at the back of the stand,
information and I still have the letter the the turnstiles, the souvenir huts…just
An important event happened around club sent back, nicely embossed with the writing these words I am transported
1971 or 1972. A friend of ours in club crest. It was signed by an o#ce back to my childhood. I realise that this
Windsor worked with Peter Osgood’s junior called Jackie, who I believe later day was such an important day in my life
sister Mandy and he said he could get became Ray Wilkins’ wife. In due course, and I am so grateful my parents took
his autograph. I was so excited. The two the West Stand benches tickets arrived… me. We bought a match programme,
names I knew at Chelsea were the two price 60p each. which I still have. I remember the
Peters, Osgood and Bonetti. I still have smudge from my mother’s wet leather
that signed photograph and it really I don’t think any of my school pals could glove is still visible…strange, though, I
cemented my a"ection for Peter Osgood actually believe I was going to see
Continued on Page 4
 PAGE 4

Continued from Page 3

5 QUESTIONS FOR.... Beltway remember the day as being sunny.

Blue Neal Hobson We walked behind the West Stand, right

to the end ( the seats were laid on top of
How did you become Chelsea, and
the terraces and the access came right at
when?
the top of the stand ) and I caught a
glimpse of the pitch and the inside of
In May of 2007, I!traveled!to London to
the stadium which had been obscured
visit my cousin who was studying abroad
from view. How exciting. We walked
there. !While hanging out in pubs I saw
down the access steps and found our
some matches being played on TV, and
seats…six rows from the front, level with
while I'd never been a fan of football
the penalty spot at the North Stand end.
before, I got hooked very fast! I had
heard about Chelsea before, but had no
We had a black and white TV set at home
idea they were as great a team, or had
and of course it was breathtaking to see
just won the league the two previous
Stamford Bridge bathed in spring
seasons! I bought an 06/07 third shirt
He is the!consummate!team player; sunshine and in glorious colour. The
while I was there, more as a souvenir
always hunting for the ball or keeping East Stand was still mid-construction on
than anything else at first. !I wore the
defenders occupied and looking for a the other side of the pitch. There was a
shirt flying home and when I was going
way to cross the ball in. !He can see smattering of away fans mixed in with
though the security line at Heathrow, the
goalscoring chances before the space is Chelsea fans on the North terrace to my
man checking my personal e"ects
opened up, as if he can see a couple left. I remember the closeness of those
noticed my shirt and said, "Damn fine
seconds into the future. !He's very fans to me.
shirt there, son! I've been supporting
Chelsea for 35 years!" He even called selfless as well, being just as happy
creating goals for the rest of the squad The Chelsea team included such players
another man over to see. I was a little
as he is scoring himself. His cross in to as Ron Harris, John Phillips, John Hollins,
embarassed, but I could tell these men
Drogba in the Champions League Semi- Steve Kember, Dave Webb, Ian
had great pride in their club. This was
Final v. Liverpool to make it 3-1 (April Hutchinson and Charlie Cooke.
the day before Chelsea raised the FA
2008) was amazing. Quick, precise and Newcastle United fielded Malcolm
Cup at the new Wembley, and when I
e"ective. !Vive l'Anelka! Macdonald, Stewart Barrowclough, Terry
learned of this I was pretty much
McDermott and Terry Hibbitt. The gate
hooked. So I was introduced right at the
What is your most cherished piece of was 24,000 on that day in March 1974.
tail-end of the Mourinho era, and one
day I'll be able to proudly say that I've Chelsea "stu!"?
What do I remember of the actual game?
supported Chelsea for 35 years! I might
I would have to say my 06/08 home I remember the middle part of The Shed
be a relatively new fan, but I'm no less
shirt with Lampard's name and number twirling their blue and white bar scarves.
passionate than a veteran! !I saw the
on the back is my favorite piece of gear. I remember the goal after ten minutes…
Blues in person for the first time last
!I also have several other jerseys, and my a header close in from Ian Hutchinson,
summer in Baltimore v. AC Milan and
girlfriend found for me one of the new which bounced up o" the ground before
one day soon, I'll make the pilgrimage to
"presentation" jackets from the crossing the line. I remember two or
Stamford Bridge!
Megastore for Christmas. three Newcastle fans, resplendent with
black and white scarves, being sat right
Who is your favorite first team player?
If you could have any player from any in front of me. I remember shouting out
other team player for Chelsea, who “we want two!” to which one of them
At the current moment, my favorite
would it be? replied “we want three!” I remember
player is Nicolas Anelka. He took a bit to
actually thinking “did I stand up and
find his feet in the side, but he's more
This one is really stumping me. I love celebrate the goal correctly?” after the
than made up for it since he was signed.
the squad we have now, and can't think first goal. I promised myself that if there
of where another player could fit in was to be further goals, I would
better than who we have. I'll concede celebrate better…I guess I wanted to fit
though that I would love to have Arjen in. Of course, a second goal came along
Robben back! and I stood up and shouted, but it was
disallowed. I remember a Topic
Do you have any pregame rituals? chocolate bar at half-time. I remember
Gary Locke doing many sliding tackles in
Before any big match, I adorn the TV front of us in the second half. I
with my Chelsea scarf and!get my remember debutant Ken Swain
Chelsea shirts out and Blue up the room. ( previously unheard of by me ) come on
The crazy PCBlues who woke up in as a substitute. I paid just as much
I also try to listen to the Liquidator
time for the 4:45am kickoff against
before each match starts, and psych Continued on Page 5
Preston! (photo by CFCDrake)
myself up. !
 PAGE 5

BOSTON BLUES MOVE ON PHOENIX LANDING

by Ben Horner

Most of us on the message board are Burnley!” to distract them from their
well aware of the success and size of the prawn sandwiches, but alas, our joy at
meet-ups that take place on the West their expense was not to last the whole
Coast, or at least in southern California.! day.
Be it The Olde Ship in Santa Ana, or !!!!!!
Shakespeare or Phileas Foggs in San No matter, however, as Chelsea put in a
Diego, the match gatherings are to be blinding performance on the day.! It was
envied by those of us that aren’t there.! a great performance, by a great team,
For big matches there have been over 40 with some great company, in a pretty
people there for the Blues! nice place, even if it is a Liverpool bar.!
But who knows, maybe it will become
For all of us who aren’t in sunny SoCal, Chelsea Central in Boston.! Either way,
those numbers are unheard of.! Unless we were all in agreement at the end of
you are within a reasonable distance of the match that the game against
New York City, and can therefore go to that (and the 10am EST start against Liverpool at Anfield would be the perfect
Nevada Smith’s to watch our beloved Sunderland) in mind, it was time to try opportunity to get as many of us
Blues, you will find meet-ups like those some place new, and so we headed up to together as we can and march on the
seen on the West Coast few and far Cambridge to the Phoenix Landing.! place.
between.! !!!!!! !!!!!!
The Phoenix Landing is first and On a final note, if there are any readers
I have been struggling with this very foremost a Liverpool pub.! It might not in the Boston area who haven’t gotten in
phenomenon.! I currently live in Boston look like it from the outside, but it is a touch to meet up, what are you waiting
while I attend Northeastern University Liverpool bar through and through (for for?! PM me at NUhusky13 on the board
and have struggled to get a group of any now).! That much is evident from the so we can start to really get this group
size together.! You would think that a signed kits framed and hanging on the growing!
city like Boston would have a solid group wall, along with the banners, scarves,
of True Blues together already.! You and various pictures and plaques
would think that it would be easy to adorning the interior; it is about as red Continued from Page 4
watch matches with a bunch of other as you can get on this side of the pond,
attention to the songs coming out of
like-minded Chelsea fans in a city of this and it was not a pretty sight.
The Shed as to the play on the pitch.
size.! You would think that in a city as !!!!!!
Generally, I remember the
diverse as Boston, especially one that There were four of us - myself, Garrett,
overwhelming feeling of belonging…
has such a rich history of immigration Dennis (who as I mentioned was joining
that this was right, that I should be
from the British Isles, that it would not us for the first time), and his friend
there.
be a problem getting together for the Kevin - who went up to the Landing, and
games.! You would think all these when we walked in decked out in our
As the game ended and the crowd
things…but you would be wrong.! Chelsea gear we were told that our
drifted away, I know as I reached the
match would be shown on the blurry
very top of the steps, I looked back at
Before I joined CIA, finding other projector screen in the front corner.! It
the pitch and the stands with
Chelsea fans in Boston was a very was a classic Liverpool move, trying to
wonderment and hoped I would be
di#cult thing to do.! But after I joined shoo us away into the corner.! With the
back again. My mother bought me a
CIA, well, it was still a very di#cult thing other TVs playing Man United versus
“Chelsea The Blues” scarf at one of the
to do.! In my time in Boston, I’ve found Burnley, we settled into the less than
souvenir huts behind the West stand. I
that while there are a lot of us Blues in comfortable alcove given to us for what
was so happy. I wore that same scarf
the Boston-area, we are incredibly would become a fantastic game for our
in Stockholm for the 1998 ECWC Final.
unorganized and spread out.! However, boys.
through the message board I have been I remember we enjoyed a hamburger
able to connect with a couple of other Not even a full two minutes into the
meal at the Fulham Broadway Wimpy
fans. Over the past few months, myself match and we were already up out of our
Bar (a big extravagance, believe me) –
and one of these fine gents, Garrett, seats as Joe Cole had a great chance but
the site of the American Burger Grill
have been getting together whenever couldn’t get a shot away.! From there it
today. We caught the tube train back
possible to watch matches, with another only got better for us.! After Anelka put
to Park Royal and then home to
joining us for the first time on Saturday.! us into the lead and we were scoring
Somerset, but that is a blur. However
! every seven minutes, it seemed the
something important happened to me
The problem is that the bar we have Mancs at the bar were getting jealous of
that day in 1974…six hundred games
been going to does not open early our success.! Just for fun, the four of us
later, I’m still going strong.
enough to show the 10am kicko"s.! With periodically gave a quick “Come on