Gonna make it a blue day

Michael Gill (Boys Model, Belfast)

I have been a Chelsea fan all my life, well since I can remember liking football anyway. 

The first time I saw them, that I can remember, was a live televised match. I think it might have been against Arsenal back in 97’. 

The goalkeeper played an outstanding game, he was making saves covering all aspects of the nets, left, right and centre, keeping them in them in the game. 

Since then I can remember old managers, trying their hardest to bring the club into high succession within the premier league and Europe. 

The earliest manager with the best record that I can remember is Italian based Claudio Raneri. He bought the club from mid-table to 3rd and 4th in the seasons he was appointed manager.

The employment of Russian billionaire, Roman Ibromivich, has brought high standards to the club after the departure of Ken Bates. 

He has had the power over three managers. Claudio was the first to fall. 

He had the money power but did not bring the club to the standards that the fans and the owner were looking for.

Then the powerful Portuguese, Jose Mourinho came into the power. It all started in 2004-2005, when the big ego showed. 

He vowed to bring success and trophies to the bridge. In his first season he was invincible. He had cleared his squad and bought in a whole new level of talent. 

Players such as Drogba, Cech and Wright Phillips showed what they were capable of and won Chelsea the title for the first time in 50 years.

During the seasons that he stayed at Chelsea he won 6 trophies and that was only in seasons!

Fall out with the owner had seen him pack up and leave at the start of the 07-08 seasons. Appointment of backroom coach Avram Grant was quick and he was soon Chelsea manager. 

He has yet to show his honours but has started off with the same record as Mourinho. He is in his first cup final, Carling Cup, against Spurs at Wembley. Hopefully it is his first of many!

Good luck to the boys and hope Avram is a success.