Legends, Trophies, Triumphs
Chelsea’s Complete Record 1905-91
Chelsea Football Club, founded in 1905, entered the professional football scene with immediate ambition. From their very first season, they were accepted into the Second Division of the Football League, and their swift rise saw them playing top-flight football just two years later. Their early years were marked by both hope and hardship, culminating in their inaugural FA Cup Final appearance in 1915, a testament to their growing stature in the English game. While the club oscillated between the top two divisions in the decades that followed, Chelsea maintained a significant presence in Division One for around 30 years, eventually clinching the Football League Championship in 1955—a crowning achievement for the club and its loyal supporters.
The post-war years brought further glory and silverware. Chelsea lifted the League Cup in 1965, adding to their growing trophy cabinet, and then triumphed in the FA Cup for the first time in 1970, a moment that remains etched in the memory of every Blues fan. The club’s ability to capture major honours continued into the late twentieth century, with Chelsea twice winning the Full Members’ Cup, the second time under its new name, the Zenith Data Systems Cup. Such victories, alongside numerous memorable matches and legendary players, have helped shape Chelsea’s unique identity in English football.
Scott Cheshire’s "Chelsea: A Complete Record, 1905-91" meticulously charts this compelling journey. The book stands out for its exhaustive statistical section, detailing every competitive first-team match in full, ensuring no significant moment is overlooked. Additionally, the comprehensive Who’s Who section offers biographical insights into every Chelsea first-team player since the club’s inception, providing readers with a sense of the personalities who have donned the blue shirt through the decades.
The narrative is further enriched by a thoughtful history of the club and its iconic ground, as well as a trove of fascinating features and photographs. From Roy Bentley and Jimmy Greaves to the triumphant 1970 FA Cup squad and more recent stars like Kerry Dixon, Dennis Wise, Jason Cundy, and Gordon Durie, the book captures the spirit and drama of Chelsea’s story. "Chelsea: A Complete Record, 1905-91" is an essential read for any supporter, offering both nostalgia and a deep appreciation of the club’s enduring legacy.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd
Published: October 20, 1991
Price: £29.99
Hardback: 416 pages
ISBN-10: 0907969879
ISBN-13: 978‑0907969877
Dimensions: 222 x 144 (mm)
The book and dustjacket are in excellent condition, which is quite remarkable given the book’s size and the fact that it’s now over thirty years old. It’s clear that the high-quality materials and printing standards used by Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd—who have since ceased trading—have played a major role in preserving it so well. The binding remains tight, the pages are crisp, and the dustjacket shows only the most minimal signs of age. To ensure it stays this way for years to come, we’ve now protected the book with our Archival Dust Jacket system, a service we normally charge £5.75 per book. For collectors and Chelsea fans alike, it’s a rare find in such well-kept shape.
