The matchday programme for this weekend’s game against Leicester City is a special collectible edition celebrating the 120th anniversary of Chelsea Football Club.
Throughout the programme we will be recalling great moments in the club’s history in the words of the key players behind those successes, including John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Ron Harris, among others.
Meanwhile, club historian Rick Glanvill tells the full story behind the birth of the the Blues back in March 1905, and director Barbara Charone explains why she became a Chelsea fan for life. Then we take a look at the significance of the matchday programme itself over the course of those 120 years, with a beautifully designed history in covers.
There’s also an exclusive interview with Reece James, who talks about the role this club has played in his life, as well as captaincy and his hopes for the future with this youthful Blues squad.
'Chelsea’s been my home ever since I can remember,' he says. 'I’ve always been a Blue and I’ve supported Chelsea all the way through ’til now.
'When I was in the Academy, breaking into the first team probably seemed close to impossible because no one had really done it until Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] broke through. Then, in the last six years a lot more have had their chance and broken in, which shows how well the Academy are doing, producing good young players.'
From the very beginning of his time here, he says, the winning culture has marked Chelsea out as a top club, and that hasn’t changed.
'From Under-9s through to the first team, the club wants to win every competition they’re in, no matter the opposition, the age, the country the tournament is in, or anything else – winning is the aim.' Now he says his aim is to be part of the squad that drives Chelsea to major success again.
'I envisage it, for sure. We’ve experienced ups and downs, but I think we will come strong. These recent few weeks, we’ve had a few disappointing results but we’ve still been in and around the top four in the table, which is a positive, and I have no doubts in the team, in the manager, in the club, that we will play Champions League football next year. We need to finish the season right and there’s no reason why we can’t go on and do those things.'
In addition to all that, there’s all the info you need on the opposition, plus a history of the club in numbers, provided by statistician, Paul Dutton.
So make sure you don’t miss out on this issue. Pick up a copy from the programme sellers around Stamford Bridge or order online from our publications partner, Reach Sport.