Despite the club's recent heyday, the 1970s at Chelsea FC were far from glamorous. As the club's fortunes began to decline, Steve Wicks, a devoted Blues fan, joined as an apprentice. Money was so tight that players were asked to chip in for the coach driver, and the East Stand rebuild was draining what little cash remained. The sales of fan favourites Alan Hudson and Peter Osgood, paired with the resignation of Dave Sexton, sent the club spiralling towards relegation. For a young lad like Steve, it was both a dream and a challenging experience. Life in the reserves took a turn one morning when the youth team found their kit hanging in the first team dressing room. Chairman Brian Mears delivered the bombshell: they had just two seasons to save Chelsea and win promotion. Suddenly, a bunch of teenagers were thrown into the cutthroat world of the Second Division. Ray Wilkins, still only 18, was handed the captain’s armband, and what followed was a gritty fight for survival. The squad, comprised of local lads with unwavering ambition, successfully fought their way back up, securing promotion in 1977 just in time to ensure the club's continued existence. However, the journey didn't end there. Financial woes forced Steve to move on in January 1979 so the club could meet its fixtures. He went on to play under characters like Tommy Docherty at Derby and QPR, where Terry Venables would later revolutionise the club and English football itself. Each stint was a lesson in survival, wit, and the unpredictable nature of the beautiful game. Returning to Chelsea under Ken Bates brought more chaos; Steve’s final match was the notorious promotion play-off defeat to Middlesbrough. Facing a career-ending back injury, he refused to be used as a pawn in a dodgy transfer scheme to Spurs. This is the raw, unfiltered story of life at Chelsea FC, as seen through the eyes of a young apprentice navigating a club on the brink. Steve Wicks sheds light on an era filled with risks, hard work, and unwavering loyalty. “Nothing But The Truth!” is a testament to the grit and heart required to survive in English football’s toughest years, told with the honesty of someone who lived every crazy minute. ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 Publisher: Great Book Selection – VisitEmpire Publications Published: June 30, 2025 Price: £20.00 Hardcover: 244 pages ISBN-10: 1915616247 ISBN-13: 978-1915616241 Dimensions: 234 x 156 (mm)
