Each sports club - football, basketball, hockey - has its own symbolism, one of the main elements of which is the emblem. It is usually associated with the story, character, significant individuals, or color of the team.
It took a long time to develop the Chelsea logo. She adopted five different upgrades and changes.
The story of the first emblem of FC Chelsea
The first Chelsea emblem appeared in 1905, when the team was accepted to participate in the competition of the English lower division. It is an image of a veteran of the Seven Years War that arose between France and England. This badge has never been applied to the uniform of Chelsea footballers. The old emblem represented the team only on posters for the match, was in use until 1952. The club received the nickname "senior citizens".
Chelsea emblem after 1952
After Ted Drake took over as the team’s chief manager, the club’s image began to change significantly. Wanting to avoid such a mocking name as "pensioners", the club management decided to change the Chelsea emblem. She took a whole new look.
After so many games, the team received the nickname "blue", based on the color of the form. This is what became the basis of the new icon. It depicts intertwined initials on a blue background. All this is surrounded by a white double contour, which creates a kind of shield. This type of emblem stayed in sight for only one season.
The emergence of a completely new badge after 1953
The next emblem of the team took a pretty nice visual look. All the team management, which was in force at that time, took part in its development. It depicts the following elements:
- Base, blue circle - coat of arms of the Chelsea district of London.
- Lion Stamford Stadium. Designed by club president Earl Cadogan.
- Staff. Taken from attorney Abbot Westminster.
- Roses and soccer ball. Designate England and the game.
- The inscription on which is written: "Chelsea Football Club".
For a long time, namely 33 years, these logos were represented by the club at the world level. Until 1960, the club did not have any emblem patches on the uniform. For one season, several sets of uniforms for football players were released, but this was not enough.
Drawing a new badge took a long time. In addition to the main emblem of the club, a simplified version was released for faster sewing.
The English League at that time was already represented by many teams playing football well. Chelsea had a special authority and a very busy schedule of games, so this decision was simply a necessity. Two stars were also added on the sides of the lion, demonstrating victory in the FA Cup in the early 70s. The round Chelsea emblem remained the official mark of the team.
Changes in 1986-2005
More and more football arena clubs tried to change and create different versions of images, backgrounds, symbols to improve the image of the team. This also affected FC Chelsea. New types of symbolism came into fashion.
For a long time already familiar picture was replaced by several options at once, which depicted a walking lion, looking to the side, to the left of it is the English letter "C" - CHELSEA, below the abbreviation "FC" - a football club.
The color of the lion has also been changed: yellow has been added to the usual exclusively blue. Sometimes it was possible to see a red color. The background on which the Chelsea FC emblem itself was located was mostly blue. All elements were placed in a circle, or they did not have anything superfluous at all, except for the abbreviation and lion.
After the change of the board of directors, the fifth attempt to develop unique symbols began. The team’s successful performance increased the club’s sales growth. It was decided to return the previous option, but more advanced. Many fans could not imagine anything new at all. This type stayed on the team's t-shirts for 19 years.
Modern Chelsea emblem after much refinement
The next holiday was approaching, the first significant anniversary - 100 years since the foundation of the club.
By the centenary of the club, in November 2004, Peter Kenyon prepared a surprise.
At a press conference in May 2005, he said: “We are starting a new era, Chelsea football is full of rich history and we are proud of our team heritage. The new emblem is based on the already presented version of the fifties, it emphasizes our traditions and I hope that it will be able to represent the club for the next century. ”
This Chelsea emblem is relevant. Differences from the third option, developed in 1953, are giving the badge a completely round shape, the name of the club is written in printed English letters, a white background.
For the guest form, a black emblem is usually used on a yellow background.
Conclusion
For such a long time, a very rich history of the club has developed. Chelsea football continues to be at the highest level. This is known to all. The Chelsea emblem is well recognized not only in England, but throughout Europe, as the club has many awards of world significance. She became an integral part of the team.