On the 10th of March, Chelsea Football Club celebrated its 120th anniversary. It’s fair to say from 1905 to 2025 there’s been chaos, controversy, jubilation, heartache, success, failure and everything in between.  

On this episode, we go back to July 1st, 2003 - and the day the course of the club’s history changed forever when Roman Abramovich became owner. Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic’s Dom Fifield and Simon Johnson alongside him to reminisce about the glory days, the José years - and the experience of covering the club during that period. 

And what was it like to be a fan growing up in that era? Younger fans are often tarred with a glory hunter brush, but Luke Bosher explains what it was like to be introduced to the club when they were serial winners and at the height of their powers. 

Plus, Liam Twomey’s back to help us finish off our overview of the defining fixtures from each decade, from the 1980s through to the modern day. 

• Read Simon's piece on Chelsea's rich history before 2003
• Read Liam's piece on Chelsea's most important match from each decade

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey, Luke Bosher & Dom Fifield 

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 10th of March, Chelsea Football Club celebrated its 120th anniversary. It’s fair to say from 1905 to 2025 there’s been chaos, controversy, jubilation, heartache, success, failure and everything in between.  

On this episode, Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic’s Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey to delve into the history of the club from its formation in 1905 through to the latter stages of the 20th century. Yes, Chelsea really did exist before 2003! 

What about some of the club’s forgotten figures? The Chelsea Graves Society was set up by fans, dedicated to tracing the final resting places of former players and significant others associated with the club. Member Andrew Rowley joins to tell us more.

Then, we take a decade-by-decade look at some of the defining fixtures which shaped the club - and paved the way for the Chelsea we know and love today. 

• Read Simon's piece on Chelsea's rich history before 2003
• Read Liam's piece on Chelsea's most important match from each decade

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An afternoon of complete nothingness...

Matt Davies-Adams is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea experts Liam Twomey and Simon Johnson to look back on the drab 1-0 defeat at The Emirates.

We delve into the reasons behind the squad being bereft of confidence, the complete lack of ambition in front of goal, and the struggles without Cole Palmer around to save the day. Plus - what's happened to Jadon Sancho's form and will he be heading back to Manchester United?

Then it's back to far happier times 24 hours earlier, as Chelsea Women picked up their first piece of silverware under Sonia Bompastor in a hard-fought 2-1 win over Manchester City at a sandpit in Derby.

We'll be back on Thursday with the first of a special series of podcasts charting the 120-year history of the club through all the ups, downs, controversy, trophies and chaos in SW6!

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Liam Twomey & Simon Johnson

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That was a fun night of football, said no one... ever...

Matt Davies-Adams has got Jessy Parker Humphreys and Simon Johnson in tow for a bumper look at all things Chelsea ahead of a busy few days for the club.

We've got England call ups, we've got an extraordinarily underwhelming Conference League victory, we've got a huge game against Arsenal in the Premier League - and we've got a League Cup final where a certain curse needs to be broken (!)

Plus, lots of sandwich chat, a word from Sonia Bompastor on her winning mentality - and a quiz.

We'll be back on Monday to look back on a pivotal weekend for CFC & CFCW against Arsenal and Man City...

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Simon Johnson and Jessy Parker Humphreys

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not PlayStation football, eh?

Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher are on duty to look back on the narrow and thoroughly unconvincing 1-0 win over Leicester at Stamford Bridge... which has taken Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four!

We reflect on Enzo's fiery post-match press conference comments as he again challenged fans to get behind the team, before turning our attention to the game and the positive impact of Pedro Neto and goalscorer Marc Cucurella - after Cole Palmer's surprise miss from the penalty spot for the first time.

Next up, Copenhagen come to town with the Blues looking to maintain their slim advantage in the Conference League round of 16 second leg. How many changes will we see with Arsenal on the horizon?

Elsewhere, Chelsea Women had Lauren James to thank (again) as her goal sealed an FA Cup semi-final showdown with Liverpool after their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Kingsmeadow.

We'll be back on Friday - hopefully celebrating safe passage to a European quarter final and looking ahead to Sunday's trip to Arsenal in the Premier League.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well, it certainly wasn't a classic European night...

Matt Davies-Adams and Luke Bosher team up for a closer look at the 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in the first leg of their Conference League round of 16 tie.

Matt caught up with Simon after the match out in Denmark to get his take on the narrow win - and the selection dilemma it poses for Enzo Maresca next Thursday with Arsenal on the horizon...

Then, we're joined by The Athletic's Leicester City correspondent Rob Tanner to look ahead to Sunday afternoon's meeting in the Enzo derby - with the visitors on a torrid run of form under Ruud van Nistelrooy and looking doomed for relegation.

CFCW ground out another important win in midweek over Leicester to move eight points clear at the top of the table - this weekend it's Crystal Palace in the quarter finals of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

Plus, desperate times call for desperate measures when the producer gets a call up in the quiz...

We'll be back on Monday to look back on Sunday's visit of the Foxes AND look ahead to the Conference League second leg meeting with Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher, Simon Johnson and Rob Tanner

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Off to Denmark we go…

Matt Davies-Adams has got The Athletic’s Chelsea experts Simon Johnson and Liam Twomey alongside him to look ahead to the return of the Conference League on Thursday evening.

So, who starts in goal? Will Caicedo *actually* be given a rest? And who are you trusting to lead the line? We try and predict Enzo Maresca’s starting XI for the round of 16 first leg tie. 

Elsewhere, we take a deep-dive into Simon and Liam’s big read about the club’s efforts to get over their recent slump - and the role that some of the senior figures have played in uniting the young squad.

Over in the WSL, it was an incident-filled 2-2 draw for Sonia Bompastor’s side against Brighton on Sunday. Jessy Parker Humphreys was there to witness Naomi Girma’s long-awaited debut. 

We’ll be back on Friday to run the rule over whatever happens in Denmark AND to look ahead to Sunday’s visit of Leicester City. 

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Simon Johnson, Liam Twomey & Jessy Parker Humphreys

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in the top four... for 24 hours at least!

Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher are back to reflect on the much-needed 4-0 victory over a sorry Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

We focus on some of the key positives from a game Enzo Maresca's side simply couldn't lose - before turning our attention to Cole Palmer's visible frustration as his struggles in front of goal continued. Plus, the positives of another impressive cameo from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto's suitability up top.

Liam was on hand in SW6 to witness the pre-match protests directed at the club's owners. We get a flavour of the assembled crowd and sentiment amongst the fans...

There may be no game to preview after the Blues' FA Cup exit - but that won't stop Matt from conducting a (very random) quiz!

So a CFC-free weekend, but we'll be back on Monday to reflect on how the women's team fared on their return to action in the WSL against Brighton AND a look ahead to Thursday night's trip to Denmark to face København.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two wins in 10 Premier League games, 15 points dropped from winning positions this season...

Matt Davies-Adams, Liam Twomey and Luke Bosher are back to run the rule over the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

We begin with an epic Simon Johnson voice note live from Villa Park just moments after the final whistle - before taking a closer look at the ongoing goalkeeping conundrum, the dramatic drop-off of Cole Palmer's form and the growing sense of unease around this inexperienced squad.

It means Tuesday night's visit of Southampton becomes even bigger, with defeat against the sorry Saints practically unthinkable. We discuss the wider state of the club with a pre-match protest planned before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, before focusing on what we want to see on the pitch from Enzo Maresca's side.

We'll be back on Wednesday to look back on the visit of Southampton and surely (!?!) be reflecting on a much-needed and comfortable victory against the team rock bottom of the Premier League...

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The only way is up after Friday night...

Matt Davies-Adams is back with The Athletic's Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey alongside him to preview Saturday evening's Premier League clash at Aston Villa.

It's fair to say expectations are pretty low as we consider the tactical tweaks that could make a difference against Unai Emery's side, the lack of confidence across the squad and the need for leaders in yet another crucial match if Chelsea are to have any hopes of finishing inside the top four.

Then, a chance to hear from the former Chelsea player and manager Glenn Hoddle, who sat down with Simon Johnson to talk getting the best out of Cole Palmer, the need for his teammates to step up - and how he sympathises with the pressure that Enzo’s under now after recalling parallels between his own difficult time during his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge back in 1993...

Plus - the quiz turns into more of an Alexandre Pato tribute!

We'll be back on Monday to give our assessment of the trip to Villa Park AND look ahead to Tuesday night's visit of Southampton.

HOST: Matt Davies-Adams

WITH: Luke Bosher and Liam Twomey

PRODUCER: Lucy Oliva

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.