CLOSE

Stamford Bridge was one of the scariest places in London.

But that was when Chelsea had some of the most fearsome fans in the country. They’d stand staunch in the decrepit old terracing known as The Shed and this was their theme tune – its four-beat hook stomped out by the terrifying clatter of a thousand steel-capped boots. I was at Stamford Bridge last night for Chelsea/Spurs but now, of course, it’s a very different place. The Shed is long gone and those who once stood there have been priced out of the swish new Chelsea. The only reminder of days gone by is The Liquidator, still played at the end of the match. The new fans are affluent and well-behaved so Stamford Bridge is no longer scary. Though with hooligans usurped by mysterious oligarchs, isn’t it now more scary than ever?

Paul-Burke-Web-Blog-Archive-Header