Internet Football Grounds Guide - Stamford Bridge, Chelsea Football Club

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Future Developments West Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? The Shed End (photo) Where To Drink? Ground Layout How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Tube/Train Matthew Harding Stand (photo) Admission Prices Fixtures 2006-2007 Programme & Fanzines Local Rivals East Stand (photo) Stadium Tours Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
The ground has been transformed in recent years with three sides of the ground being re-built. The completion, at one side of the pitch, of the attractive looking West Stand in 2001, means that Stamford Bridge is now an impressive sight. A far cry from the Stamford Bridge of old, which was largely open with one huge three tiered stand, the East Stand, being at one side of the pitch. This stand, opened in 1973, has been retained and the developers have taken advantage of the fact that the 'old' Stamford Bridge was oval shaped and stretched the new stands right around the ground filling the corners, so that the ground is totally enclosed. The team dug outs are located on this side of the stadium. Both ends are two tiered, with the North Stand now renamed the Matthew Harding Stand in memory of the man who did so much to transform the club. Below the roof of the Shed End, is a Police Control Box, which keeps a look out over proceedings. The new West Stand is a superb three tiered affair having a row of executive boxes running across its middle, the type of which you are able to sit outside. Its roof is virtually transparent, allowing more light to reach the pitch and gives it a unique look. Top Of Page
Future Developments
The Club have announced that they are looking into the feasibility of building a new 55,000 capacity stadium in West London. The Club are unable to significantly re-develop Stamford Bridge any further, so to increase capacity would mean building a new stadium. Top Of Page
West Stand
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are located in the South East corner of the Shed End, rather, where the normal allocation for league games is 3,000 tickets, with fans located in a portion of the upper tier of the Shed End Stand and the whole of the lower tier. If Clubs elect to take only 1,500 tickets then, fans will be located on the East side of the stand in both the upper and lower tiers. For cup games the whole of the Shed End can be allocated. The view from this area of the ground is pretty good and the refreshment areas and concourses were modern and new looking. There are televisions on the concourses, showing amongst other things at half time, highlights from the first half. A range of Shire Foods and pasties is on offer, including the Chicken Balti Pie (Ł2.50) and roll over hot dogs (Ł3). Alcohol is also available with bottles of Budweiser on offer at Ł3. On the whole I found Stamford Bridge a pleasurable day out. There was a good atmosphere within the ground and even though there wasn't a lot of space between the home and away fan sections, in didn't feel intimidating. The stewards were pretty laid back. The only 'hassle' I had was trying to get through two lines of stewards to gain entrance to the away turnstiles as they seemed to assume that I was a Chelsea fan and kept ushering me towards the home end. Only after showing my ticket for the away section for a third time did I finally make it inside! I was seated in the upper tier and I found a little difficult to go up and down the steps of the stand as they were quite small and there were steps between each row. Considering that the stand is quite steep then they seemed quite awkward or do you think it may have been something to do with the few beers that I had consumed beforehand? Please also note that the whole stadium has now been made a no smoking one, this includes the concourses as well as the seating areas. There is a Harry Ramsdens fish and chip shop located just outside the entrance to the away end, which was doing a brisk trade on my last visit. Top Of Page
The Shed End
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Where To Drink?
The pubs near the ground can be quite partisan, so I would recommend getting a drink somewhere on the journey there. Gordon a visiting Newcastle fan adds 'there are quite a few pubs on the Kings Road that are okay as long as you don't break into a chorus about your team!'. Ross Mooring adds; The best (well, least partisan) pub for away fans is the Slug and Lettuce outside Fulham Broadway train station situated a few minutes walk from the ground. It's an upmarket pub with a good security and police presence outside on matchdays. Very full but rarely any trouble. Away fans though should avoid the Sofa Bar. Alcohol (Budweiser) is available inside the ground but it is a bit pricey, even for Londoners!'. About a ten minute walk away from the ground near Parsons Green Tube Station is the White Horse. A large comfortable pub which sells good food and a range of real ales including Harveys Ales from Sussex. To find this pub with the new West Stand behind you turn right (up past where the away coaches are parked) up Fulham Road and into Fulham Broadway, passing the tube station on your right. Continue to follow Fulham Road around to the left and then take a left hand turn into Parsons Green Road. Go under the bridge passing Parsons Tube Station on your right and you will reach the White Horse pub on your left. Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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How To Get There And Where To Park
Leave the M25 at Junction 15 and take the M4 towards London, which then becomes the A4 up to Hammersmith. Carry on over the Hammersmith flyover and after a further one and half miles, take the turning Earls Court. Continue past Earls Court station and down the one way system until you reach the junction with Fulham Road. At this junction, turn right at the traffic lights and after about half a mile, you will see the ground on your right. A number of local resident schemes are in operation around the ground, so you may well end up having to park some way from the ground itself. Thanks to Andy Harris for providing the directions. For a map showing the location of Stamford Bridge click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. Top Of Page
By Tube/Train
The nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway which is on the District Line. Take a tube to Earls Court and if necessary, change for a Wimbledon bound tube. The nearest overground train station is West Brompton, which is served by trains from Clapham Junction (which is in turn served by trains from London Waterloo and Victoria stations). It is around a 15 minute walk to the ground from West Brompton station. Turn right outside the station past the Tournament Pub, then right again into Brompton Cemetery. Walk on through the Cemetery (just follow the crowd) and Stamford Bridge is soon visible to the right. If it is a night game then turn right after the cemetery into Finborough Road. After a half-mile, turn right onto the Fulham Rd. Thanks to Jim Millington for providing the directions. Top Of Page
Matthew Harding Stand
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Admission Prices
Home Fans: West Stand Upper & Middle Tiers: Ł60 - No Concessions West Stand Lower Tier: Adults Ł48 - No Concessions Shed End Stand Upper Tier: Adults Ł48 - No Concessions Shed End Stand Lower Tier: Adults Ł45 - No Concessions Matthew Harding Upper Tier: Adults Ł48 - No Concessions Matthew Harding Lower Tier: Adults: Ł45 - No Concessions East Stand Upper Tier: Adults: Ł48, Senior Citizens/Under 16's Ł20, Young Adults (16-21) Ł35 East Stand Middle Tier: Season Tickets Only East Stand Lower Tier (Family Area): Adults: Ł35, Senior Citizens/Under 16's Ł15 Away Fans: Shed End Stand Upper Tier: Adults Ł48, Senior Citizens/Under 16's Ł20 Shed End Stand Lower Tier: Adults Ł45, Senior Citizens/Under 16's Ł20 Prices quoted are for club members. Non-members are charged up to Ł5 more per ticket. Top Of Page
Fixtures 2007-2008
For the Chelsea fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme & Fanzines
Official Programme Ł3. Chelsea Independent Fanzine: Ł1.50. CFCUK Fanzine: Ł1. Top Of Page
Local Rivals
Fulham, Arsenal, Tottenham and from a little further afield Leeds & Manchester United. Top Of Page
East Stand
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Stadium Tours
The club offer tours of the ground, which are available three times a day, except match days & bank holidays. The tour lasts for around 75 minutes and is coupled with a visit to the new Chelsea Museum. It costs; Adults Ł15 & Concessions Ł9. To book your tour call 0871 984 1955. If you wish you can just visit the museum. This costs; Adults Ł5 & Concessions Ł3 and does not need to be pre-booked. Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 82,905 v Arsenal Division 1, October 12th, 1935. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 42,328 v Newcastle United Premier League, December 4th, 2002. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 41,542 (Premier League) 2005-2006: 41,902 (Premier League) 2004-2005: 41,870 (Premier League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews
Robin Dalgliesh (Middlesbrough) 4/1/03 Stuart Watson (Arsenal) 1/9/02 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Chelsea page and general London page click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide. * This date was when the ground was developed into to one to house football and the year that Chelsea first played there. The site had been used previously since 1877 as home to the London Athletics Club.

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