Paul Waterhouse from Bygone Chelsea captures his afternoon at the Those Were The Days Remembrance Day heritage event, held at the Stamford Bridge Tea Bar on 10th November 2024
The Heritage ‘live’ event in the Tea Bar before Sunday's game proved to be a huge success.
From 2.00pm until just after 4.00pm there was a steady stream of visitors and I was kept busy with people who wanted to have a look at the collection of Chelsea v Arsenal programmes from 1907 to 1985. They were replica copies, but even then so many were impressed with the quality of them.
What astonished me was the fact that a small number of ‘veteran’ supporters could recall some of the featured games, including this lovely chap in the wheelchair who travels from Southampton and another who came to his first game with his father in 1954. His first season saw us win the title of course, but he didn’t realise he had to wait fifty years for the next.
I was fortunate to meet Chelsea’s new Chief Executive, Jason Gannon, who was deeply impressed and interested in what we are doing with regards to Chelsea’s history. It certainly augurs well for the future. Speaking of which I must thank Cliff Auger for his help and the ticket. Debs Coady and Ethan for setting things up. Also great to catch up with so many from the Heritage Partnership, some for the first time.
We did of course have a number of visitors who serve in our Armed Forces, many of whom were interested in what we do and I was in awe of how smart they looked. My dear friend, John Boyle, as promised spent some time with us and as usual he was in great form. Many members of Bygone Chelsea popped by during those two hours for which I am extremely grateful, it was good to see old and new friends.
Fellow Admin, Charlie Brooks-Watson helped to man the fort as things got really busy.
However, I think the real highlight was the encounter my fellow pitch inspector/cross-country enthusiast, Bern Parsons had with a delightful American couple. Keen to learn more about the club in the 1970’s, Bern gave a spirited talk about our games against Millwall in 1976-77. It absolutely made their day and they promptly joined Bygone.
Mr & Mrs McBride, it was super to meet you and I hope you had a safe journey home to the U.S.A.
If I’ve forgotten anyone I do apologise, but if Sunday taught me anything, it’s that all of us amateur football historians are not wasting our time doing what we do.
Paul Waterhouse and the Bygone Chelsea 1905-99 group can be found on Facebook
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