Glensider at Stamford Bridge

It`s quite correct to admit, that not one single one of us were particularly enhanced with Christmas cheer when the timing of our visit to Stamford Bridge was confirmed by the Premier League and our good friends at Sky. However, when duty calls, we Villans have to be ‘Prepared`, as our club motto so proudly informs us, so unfortunately (yeah, right) last minute Christmas shopping and all things festive madness, a back seat must take, and we climbed into Neil`s bright Christmassy red Vauxhall Astravan Club 1.7 Cdti Ecoflex Van, the van with a rather superb music system which caters delightfully to our entertainment demands, and set off down the M40, destination our wonderful capital city, the borough of Fulham and Hammersmith, home of the European Club Champions, and our latest opponents, Chelsea Football Club.

Stamford Bridge, the only home Chelsea have ever had, has really changed in appearance down the years. Indeed compared to our first visit to The Bridge back in the swinging mid-sixties, it is virtually unrecognisable. Away supporters are now located in the lower and upper tier corner of the ‘Shed End’, which of course back in the 60`s, 70`s, and 80`s was the home base for Chelsea’s most loyal and vocal supporters. Their ‘version` of our Holte End if you like. It`s not the most atmospheric of stadiums I think its fair to say. The home support have never really been particularly vocal, but we four all agree that it was lot noisier and more intimidating (in the right way) back in the day, than it ever is nowadays.

As per usual we had a very good musical mix to soothe the soul while travelling, and in keeping with the season, ‘Jethro Tull`s Christmas Album` was scheduled to make an appearance, but for starters the four cd compilation ‘Yes Years` by Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, and co was helping set us up for the days adventure ahead. Friend Andy reminded us of when ‘Yes` had first come to our attention, back in 1969, when they appeared on the John Peel radio show, about the same time that Melody Maker tipped them to be one of two bands most likely to succeed. The other being Led Zeppelin. Upon the first hearing, we were unashamedly hooked.

1969, it barely seems five minutes ago. Back in 1969 of course we were a second division team, in fact it was our relegation campaign. Come May of 1970, we were to be demoted to the old third division. Dark days indeed. A period in our history though that was great to experience. I wouldn`t have missed it for the world. It provided us all with some great memories. The re-birth of the claret and blues, and everything that came of being around and supporting the club at that time.

Going back to December of 1969 if I may, I`m sure that many of my fellow old-timers will fondly recall that Boxing Day that year provided us with one of the more famous and memorable of all time away games, the trip to Swindon Town, the 1-1 draw, with George Curtis scoring for us on his debut. It seemed that every Villan worthy of the name travelled to the County Ground that day. Whenever we get in conversation with fellow old time Villans, and the topic of memorable away games down the years crops up, Swindon Town, Boxing Day 1969, is right up there as one of the all time favourites. Thinking about it, with the number of Villans who claim to have been at Swindon Town that Boxing Day afternoon, we must surely have took a 50,000 following!

Anyway, back to today, and while chomping on sausage rolls and mince pies very kindly provided by Neil`s wife Anna, our thoughts and attention turned to the task that lay ahead of us at Stamford Bridge. We had travelled down to the same fixture last season expecting a right spanking. We won 3-1. Today we were travelling down with hope and expectation. Paul Lambert take a bow sir. You`ve been a massive breath of fresh air to what was in truth, an ailing club in serious decline.

The M40 became the M4 via the M25, and Yes turned into Jackson Browne, the latter guiding us trouble free into Earls Court, where we parked the Villamobile of the day, and made the thirty minute stroll to the stadium.

We weren`t surprised to learn that Paul Lambert had named an unchanged team for the game. After all, after last weekend`s performance and result at Anfield, it would have been extremely harsh had anyone lost their starting place.


It was a grey, overcast afternoon, and our mood very much matched the weather conditions when Fernando Torres opened the scoring for Rafa`s men with barely two minutes on the clock. Free header though it was, Torres superbly rose and met Azpilicueta`s inviting cross to send the ball flashing past Brad Guzan.

We were struggling to keep possession, and the home team were pushing us back with regularity. You sensed that unlike our experience at Carrow Road and Anfield, the Chelsea lads wouldn`t be so wasteful of opportunities that came their way.

We earned our first corner around the ten minute mark, but Barry Bannan`s corner floated harmlessly over everyone`s head, and out of play for a Chelsea throw in. Torres was enjoying a lot of space allowed him by our lads failing to pick him up, and it was obvious that someone, and sooner rather than later, had to accept the responsibility of following him when he dropped back behind Mata and co, in readiness for setting off on one of those wavy runs that he is so adept at.

The Chelsea support more than the players were howling for a twentieth minute penalty when Nathan Baker appeared to impede Torres, and I must admit that it certainly looked a very close call from where we were. Fortunately the closer to the action Phil Dowd wasn`t impressed at all.

As the half hour mark approached, Chelsea increased their lead, and one suspected at that stage, that even with an hour still to play, Luiz`s twenty yard free kick which rocketed past Brad, meant that that was in all probability game over. Only damage control remained for our lads to achieve.

Chelsea`s third goal just five minutes later merely confirmed our belief, as David Luiz brought a fine save out of Brad following a Chelsea corner, only for the ball to deflect up to Ivanovic who nodded the ball into the back of our net.

We were all wishing for half time at that point, Chelsea looking more than capable of scoring at will, while we were offering few signs suggesting that we were capable of holding back the tide.

The second half started as the first had ended, with Chelsea in full and complete control. Brad Guzan made an excellent save following good link up play between Moses and Torres. Moses` cross was met ten yards from goal by Mata, who met it firmly, only to see Brad save superbly by deflecting the ball over the bar.

Lampard volleyed just wide following a Chelsea corner, and it was clear to all that more goals for the European Champions looked very much on the cards. We simply weren`t in it. Very disappointing.

3-0 became 4-0 when Lampard hammered home an absolute beaut from twenty-five yards out, giving Brad no chance whatsoever.

Joe Bennett and Stephen Ireland entered the action, replacing Eric Lichaj and Ashley Westwood.


This was very definitely a case of men against babes, and even though I have to say that Chelsea, in my humble opinion are the strongest, most talented team that we have faced this season, that assessment hardly made witnessing the debacle first hand, any easier.

Four became five, and five became six, as our goal difference continued to take a hammering, Ramires and an Oscar penalty adding to our misery, and as those two latest goals entered our net, more travelling supporters decided enough was enough, and headed towards the exit.

At 7-0 the humiliation became complete, or so we had thought/hoped, Hazard becoming the latest Chelsea Blue to do his best to ruin our Christmas. Brad Guzan had time to save a Piazon penalty, but goal number eight was soon nestled in the back of our net, Ramires grabbing his second of a depressing afternoon.

8-0 became the heaviest Villa defeat that I`ve ever witnessed (I`d seen us lose 7-0 at Old Trafford back in the sixties), and I have to hope that I never get to witness similar again.

Just think chaps. It`s possible that we could meet this lot again at Wembley Stadium in February. Doesn`t bear thinking about, does it?

So, it was a thoroughly dejected gathering of 1,400 or so Villans who exited London for the journey north and home. My journey wasn`t to stop at Birmingham either. I was to collect my car and drive up to Ambleside to join the gathering and enjoy our family Christmas get-together, so I had plenty of miles ahead of me to recall and relive each and every one of Chelsea`s goals should I so desire. No, I think I`ll pass on that one, thank you all the same Rafa..

Well, all that is left for me to do fellow Vital Villans, is to wish one and all a Very Happy and Merry Villamas, and a healthy, wealthy, and extremely prosperous 2013.

Keep The Faith. Brighter days lay ahead.