The Black-And-White Years: 30 Wonderful Vintage Photos Of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge Between 1905-1967

By Chris Wright

We’ve already basked in the glory of Highbury in monochrome, now it’s Chelsea’s turn…

Soccer - Football League Division Two - Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion

One of the very first known photographs of Stamford Bridge, taken during Chelsea’s Division Two match against West Bromwich in 1905

Soccer - Home International Championship - England v Scotland - Stamford Bridge

A huge crowd swarms into Stamford Bridge to watch England’s Home International match against Scotland, 1913. England won 1-0, with Harry Hampton the scorer

British Royal Family - Prince Albert - 1920

Prince Albert poses for a photograph on the pitch at Stamford Bridge, 1920

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Stamford Bridge

The view from the top of the terrace as Chelsea attempt to keep Wolves at bay, 1933

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea v Arsenal

82,000 people cram into Stamford Bridge to watch the derby game between Chelsea and Arsenal, 1935

Soccer - Moscow Dynamo v Chelsea - Stamford Bridge

Dynamo Moscow players emerge from the tunnel holding bouquets of flowers (which were later exchanged with the British players) before an exhibition game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge designed to pay tribute to the Russian factory workers who aided the allied war effort, 1945

Soccer - FA Amateur Cup - Final - Barnet v Bishop Auckland - Stamford Bridge

Barnet captain Lester Finch shakes hands with Bishop Auckland’s young mascot before the FA Amateur Cup Final at Stamford Bridge, 1946

Crowds at Chelsea

With the Football League restarting for the first time in seven years due to the Second World War, especially large crowds are drawn out for Chelsea’s first league match against Bolton, 1946

Soccer - FA Cup - Third Round - Chelsea v Arsenal

Around 70,000 people huddle together for warmth as they watch Chelsea’s FA Cup Third Round tie against Arsenal amid freezing temperatures, 1947

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea v Arsenal - Stamford Bridge

A young Chelsea fan is passed over the crowd to the front of the terrace for a better view ahead of a game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, 1947

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea Training - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s Dick Spence (left) and Len Goulden (right) engage in a spot of head tennis during a training session at Stamford Bridge, 1947

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea Training - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Billy Birrell gives a tactical talk to his players using an impromptu tactics board in the Stamford Bridge changing rooms, 1950

Soccer - Chelsea Photoshoot - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea outside right Billy Gray chases down a loose ball in front of the empty terraces at Stamford Bridge, 1950

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea Training - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea players leapfrog in tandem at a pre-season training session, 1950

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea Training - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea trainer Jack Oxberry treats Alan Rule’s sprained ankle in the medical room at Stamford Bridge, 1953

Soccer - Chelsea - Training - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea players limber (or should that be “lumber”?) up using a 125lbs tree log to stretch off during a pre-season training session, 1953

Football - Chelsea Training - Stamford Bridge

Heading practice, 1955

Football - Preseason Training - London

Dribbling practice, 1955

Football - Charlton Athletic V Chelsea - Stamford Bridge

An understandably sparse crowd turn out to watch Chelsea take on Charlton at a snowbound Stamford Bridge, 1956

TOM FINNEY

Preston’s Tom Finney creates a splash at Stamford Bridge, completely obscuring Chelsea defender Wally Bellet in what has become one of the most iconic footballing photos ever taken, 1956. The image was immortalised in bronze outside the old National Football Museum in Preston, though the museum has since moved to Manchester.

Soccer - League Division One - Chelsea v Bolton Wanderers - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s Peter Brabrook flicks a boot-load of mud into Bolton defender Ralph Gubbins’ face as the two teams play on a quagmire of a pitch at Stamford Bridge, 1957

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea Training - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea striker Jimmy Greaves warms up at Stamford Bridge, 1957

Soccer - Home International Championship - England v Scotland - England Practice - Stamford Bridge

Three schoolboys watch England train at Stamford Bridge ahead of a game against Scotland the following day which attracted a crowd of 100,000 people, 1957 

Soccer - League Division One - Chelsea v Everton - Stamford Bridge

A pitch invader is dealt with by players during the game between Chelsea and Everton, 1959

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea Training - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea coach Harry Medhurst (right) attempts to correct the poor weightlifting technique of Chelsea’s Charlie Livesey, Frank Blunstone, Sylvan Anderton and Johnny Brooks, 1960

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea v Blackpool - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Ted Drake (right) sits alongside his new player-coach Tommy Docherty in the Stamford Bridge dugout to watch his side take on Blackpool, 1961

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea

Demonic looking “road-burner” lorries –  conventionally used to melt tarmac – are employed to thaw out the frozen Stamford Bridge pitch, 1963

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea - Stamford Bridge

The weathervane atop Stamford Bridge’s east stand which was modeled on prolific striker George Hilsdon, who scored 98 goals in 150 league games for the club

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea v Arsenal - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s glamour girl programme sellers find business is brisk before the match against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, 1966

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea

Soccer - Football League Division One - Chelsea

Dave Sexton (left) stands on the Stamford Bridge terraces with Chelsea chairman Charles Pratt having been appointed the club’s new manager, 1967

(Photos: PA)

Suggested further viewing…

30 Marvelous Vintage Photos Of Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium, Taken Between 1931-1967