For the first time in nine months, Chelsea will have fans back inside Stamford Bridge supporting them this Saturday, and what a moment it will be for those lucky enough to have gotten tickets.
2,000 supporters are allowed back inside the stadium to watch Chelsea take on historic rivals Leeds United, albeit socially distanced and sticking to Covid-19 restrictions.
Chelsea insider reveals all the January and summer transfer information you need to hear – Full story HERE.
It will be a far cry from a beautifully packed house at The Bridge, but at least it is something positive at this sage and hopefully sees the start of some normality on the horizon after an awful year around the globe.
Chelsea offered up a ballot service to buy the tickets, which is largely considered as one of the fairest options under the circumstances. But the club have faced criticism over some of the ticket prices – £75 to sit in the West Stand for example.
We spoke to two Chelsea fans who are lucky enough to be going on Saturday to gauge the feeling ahead of the game, and their thoughts on the ticket buying process.
“It was probably a fair process, said Blues fan Joe Nazareth.
“There were calls for the loyalty points of last season to be used but I think there’s an issue with the loyalty point system in general, where getting away tickets to small grounds, Brighton away for example, proves too difficult even for season ticket holders like me. I think on this occasion a random ballot seemed fair (if not perfect). Ticket prices were also ok. Given I have an outstanding balance from last seasons season ticket, the money for this Leeds ticket is just net off from that balance.
“However, I do think the club missed an opportunity to generate even more good will (further to the good work with the NHS etc) where they could have offered these tickets for free to fans. How much are we really adding to the bottom line with 2,000 tickets sold at £75 max? And at a time when many are furloughed or have sadly lost their jobs, that would have been a nice gesture.”
This is a view shared by fellow Chelsea fan Joey Hansen, who is also going on Saturday. He said:
“I personally think the charge of £75 for the West Stand was a pretty poor show from the club and for once completely out of touch to be honest, hence why I applied for the shed end lower priced at £40 which dare I say it seems slightly more fair ?
“I do think however the club during the pandemic have made me proud to support and follow them with what they have done for the NHS workers with giving the hotel to them, the way they handled season ticket money, and not asking for any money leading up to this season unlike some owners (Mike Ashley).”
So what about the ballot experience, Chelsea have a notoriously frustrating ticket system, was this any different?
“It was fine, said Joe Nazareth.
“I logged in just after it opened, there was a short wait in the Virtual waiting room and then go in ok. Applied for both Leeds and Krasnodar. Heard back on Monday lunchtime that i had been successful for Leeds.
“It was super easy, said Joey Hansen. “I applied early morning 5/6 hours before the deadline and didn’t have to wait in an online queue etc. I had the confirmation of my tickets yesterday that I was successful for both Leeds and the Champions League on Tuesday.”
Ironically both fans we spoke to are called ‘Joe’, this was not intentional I promise! But both Joe’s are Chelsea season ticket holders and have been following the club since the 90s.
So imagine going to watch Chelsea play every Saturday as part of your lifestyle, routine and social life for the last 30 odd years, and then suddenly having that taken away from you? It’s certainly been different for ‘The Joe’s.’
“I’m at every home game and a good handful of away games usually, said Joe Nazareth.
“So no football has been a change for me. Football is social thing for me, lots of close friends all have season tickets, we catch up, drink some beers, watch the game etc.
“So its been a real shame not to have that. That being said, there’s been a lot going on in the world so cant complain too much, but having football back is a big plus for me and hoping to see the number of fans allowed tick up quite quickly.”
“I think the period of time from march until the restart in June time was by far the toughest and since then I have weirdly gotten used to it, said Joey Hansen.
“The last couple of weeks when they announced there was a chance fans could be allowed back the excitement has gradually increased and I now just cant wait to get back on Saturday.
“If you had said to me back in March when we were watching us beat Everton 4-0 at home that would be the last time we would watch a live game of football until pretty much 2021 I think I would have had a meltdown! So I am excited just to be able to be in the ground again albeit in totally different circumstances.”
“I’m excited to be back, Joe Nazareth added.
“TV just cant replicate the feeling of being at The Bridge, but I’m also managing my own expectations that it wont feel the same. I’m expecting the usual “buzz” to be lacking because 2,000 simply isn’t the usual 42,000+, but I’m excited all the same!”
So what about the Covid restrictions, the boys don’t seem to know too much about this yet and more information is expected to be provided on their tickets.
“The club are sending us an online declaration form 24 hours before the game with probably the standard questions about symptoms etc, said Joey Hansen.
“We have been told there will be a temperature check before entry and that we have to wear masks the whole time unless eating or drinking. No mention of needing to test negative though.”
So are you guys allowed to sing as normal?
“Yeah I’d like to, says Joe Nazareth!
“I wonder if the ticket will state that no chanting is allowed? We only get sent the ticket 48 hours before so I don’t know yet. I think it will depend on the 2,000 that are there and if the majority are keen to make noise!”
Thanks lads, to finish up here, how do you think Frank Lampard is doing so far as Blues boss?
Joe Nazareth – “Doing a great job in my opinion. We achieved last year, losing the FA Cup final was a real blow, but overall a decent season. This year we need to see a shift change though. That doesn’t mean win the league, but it means lose fewer points in games we should win, concede less and score more.
“We seem to be doing exactly that lately so I’d say we’re making progress. That being said, I think Top 4 and a decent cup run is the minimum expected this year, and we cant be 20+ points off the top, particularly given how everyone has started!”
Joey Hansen – “Even when I think about this question without the love I have for the man, its clear to me and even people who don’t support Chelsea that the job he did last season is one we cant underestimate in my opinion.
“To get 4th after losing Hazard, arguably the best player the Premier League has seen this decade, was a superb achievement.
“More impressively for a coach with 2 years experience to be able to develop a style of play in such a short space of time, gets me so excited for how the next couple of years could go when he is given the chance to develop with the added bonus of the new 6/7 keys players we signed in the summer.
“We have seen how tough it has been for Ole and Arteta etc to develop a style of play, but Lamps has so far.”
Catch up with ‘The Joe’s’ next week when they join me on Thursday to talk about their first game back at The Bridge and how it went, over at The Si Phillips Talks Chelsea Podcast!
