END OF AN ERA

This day in 2006 sees Chelsea come to an agreement with Ken Bates to settle the litigation he issued against the club following on from Roman’s takeover. With Ken “paid off” he became free to transfer his love to Elland Road and his association with Stamford Bridge ended after 23 years and 12 days.

FRANCO TAKES US TO WEMBLEY

Any true supporter will be able to conjure up an exact mental picture of one moment from today in 1997. Chelsea, in their yellow away kit attacking the North Bank at Highbury in the FA Cup Semi Final. The maestro, Gianfranco Zola twisting the Wimbledon defence inside and out before unleashing an unstoppable shot. Zola wheeling away, arms outstretched as we celebrated. Mark Hughes scored two goals that sandwiched ‘Franco’s as Chelsea go through to a final against Middlesborough.

LEEDS WALLOPED BY SPARKIE

Glenn Hoddle’s side stroll to a 4-1 victory over Leeds in 1996 with a Mark Hughes hat-trick and one from John Spencer sealing a Premiership success over the Yorkshiremen in front of 21,131 at Stamford Bridge.

CUP FINAL REVENGE

Chelsea gained a measure of revenge over Tottenham on this day in 1968. Defeated by Spurs in the previous seasons Cup Final, goals from Peter Houseman and Tommy Baldwin see the Blues to a 2-0 victory at The Bridge. 53,049 look on.

RECORD CROWD

A then record crowd of 67,000 see the blues draw one all against Manchester United in their inaugural 1905/06 season.

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INTO THE SEMI’S

A 3-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in Germany on this day in 2006 is not enough to prevent our progress to a second Champions League Semi Final in two years. The score-line really doesn’t reflect the game as despite going behind goals from Frank Lampard and an excellent Didier Drogba header gave us a 6-3 aggregate lead before Chelsea relaxed and let Bayern back in with goals in the 89th and 93rd minutes.

UNSUCCESSFUL TINKERING

Two years ago today and a Chelsea side showing 8 changes from the goalless draw against Middlesbrough two days earlier goes down to an Easter Monday defeat at Villa Park. Despite two Crespo goals, Chelsea go down to a 3-2 defeat. The contrast between Claudio’s blues and Mourinho’s masters couldn’t have been more marked.

MAGIC GUS TAKES US TO ANOTHER CUP FINAL.

Another Semi-Final for Chelsea, this time in the FA Cup against Newcastle. 73,876 watched the game on 12 April 2000 at Wembley Stadium and saw the Blues progress to the Final for the second time in three years through two Gus Poyet goals, the second a trademark header. Rob Lee grabbed a consolation for the Geordies . Chelsea were to go on to face and beat Aston Villa at the last FA Cup Final to be played at the Twin Towers.

GOOD FRIDAY

1963 and a surprisingly healthy crowd of more than 45,000 largely go home happy after the Blues beat Bury 2-0 in a Division Two fixture. Goals from Barry Bridges and Bobby Tambling see the blues to victory as the season heads towards Promotion back to Division One.

KEZMAN’S CANDLES

Former Chelsea Striker Mateja Kezman celebrates his birthday today, being born in Zemun, Serbia & Montenegro on 12 April 1979. Kezman was purchased from PSV Eindhoven to team up again with Arjen Robben, but ‘Batman’ never really found his feet in English football, and despite some above average support from the Stamford Bridge faithful departed for Athletico Madrid at the end of his only season (2004/05) having scored 7 goals in 40 appearances. Perhaps the highlight of his time came when his extra time goal helped secure the Carling Cup in the 3-1 victory over Liverpool at Cardiff earlier that season.

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BLUES IN GERMANY

Three years ago today and Chelsea were in Munich, preparing for the second leg of their European Cup Winners Cup Quarter Final tie against Bayern.  The main concern in the camp was a “fever” that had stopped Mateja Kezman from training and seen the likely promotion of Mikael Forssell to the substitutes bench.

VICTORY OVER THE WOMBLES.

Our most recent game on this day is the 2-1 defeat of Wimbledon in a Premiership fixture at Selhurst Park in 1999. Chelsea, on their way to third place kept within two points of the leaders after Flo, combining well with Bjarne Goldbaek scored the first, and Poyet, fed by Zola made it two nil. A last minute goal caused some consternation but the Blues held on to keep the pressure on the top two up, and send the majority of the 21,577 crowd home happy.

ANOTHER RUN OF THE MILL VICTORY OVER SPURS

A year previous to the victory over Wimbledon sees Tottenham travel to the Bridge in hope of putting a stop to what was already an long run of poor results against Chelsea. However, as was the case in many games before and since, they return to North London pointless after goals from Flo and Vialli sees the ‘Blues to a comfortable 2-0 Premiership victory.

RARE DEFEAT IN PROMOTION SEASON.

11 April 1977 and the Blues, riding high in Division 2 make the short trip to the Valley for a derby match against Charlton. Charlton were mid-table and not expected to be too much of a hindrance to our promotion charge, but alas it was not to be as Blues ‘keeper John Phillips picked the ball out of his net four times in a comprehensive 4-0 defeat. The set-back however was not to be too significant as Chelsea ended the 1976/77 season in second place winning promotion back to Division One.

SANDY WEMBLEY

With the season ending early to allow preparations for the Mexico World Cup, Chelsea face Leeds United on a sandy Wembley (thanks to the previous weeks “Horse of the Year” Show) in the 1970 FA Cup Final. Two equalisers, the first from Peter Houseman and a late goal from Ian Hutchinson take the game to a replay.

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Daily Dose: 9 April

Today’s daily dose of historical trivia as Dan Davies looks back to some memorable semi-finals and other significant victories “on this day in history”:

DISAPPOINTING DRAW

Chelsea’s seemingly inexorable march towards our first title in 50 long seasons stalled slightly three years ago, when against expectations Birmingham City came away from Stamford Bridge with a point (the first point they had gained ‘on the road’ in 2006).   We’d looked likely to lose more than a point when Walter Pandiani gave the visitors a 64th minute lead, but Didier Drogba, nine yards out with nine minutes to go, got onto the end of a Frank Lampard through ball to grab an equaliser.  

THE END OF PETIT

An operation on his injured ankle this time in 2004 rules Emmanuel Petit out for the rest of the season. He will never play for the Blues again.

WEMBLEY SEMI FINAL (1)

9 April 2000 sees Chelsea at Wembley for an FA Cup Semi Final against Newcastle. On their way to winning the title, a brace for Gustavo Poyet is enough to beat the Geordies 2-1 in front of nearly 74,000 spectators.

EURO SEMI FINAL

On this day in 1999, Chelsea found themselves through to the Semi-Final of the European Cup-Winners Cup for the second time in consecutive seasons. A close range volley from Tore Andre Flo equalised what was to prove to be an important away goal from Dani, but the Blues were unable score in Spain and so failed to reach the final.

WEMBLEY SEMI FINAL (2)

1994, and on a sunny Sunday at Wembley Stadium, two goals from Gavin Peacock see Chelsea through to their first FA Cup Final in 24 years. 59,989 attend and perhaps the biggest cheer of the day goes to former hero Kerry Dixon, who plays for our opponents – Luton Town.

WEST HAM MAY HAVE WON THE WORLD CUP …

… But they couldn’t match us! 1966 and the International Packed West Ham are sent packing 6-2 in a Division One match at Stamford Bridge. George Graham and Bobby Tambling get two a piece whilst Ron Harris and Terry Venables grab the others, just short of 36,000 watch on.

WEBBIES BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday today to Cup Hero and former Manager David Webb, born on this day in 1946 in Stratford, East London. Chelsea were the fourth club to get the benefit of Webb’s abilities and physique, Stratford born Webb originally signing for his local club West Ham on Amateur terms, and serving Leyton Orient before his £40,000 transfer from Southampton in February 1968.  David Webb came one game shy of 300 appearances in 6 years at the Bridge, and his FA Cup winning goal in the 1970 replay was one of 33 he notched in a Chelsea shirt.  May 1974 saw him take the short trip to Loftus Road, and after serving QPR he had spells with Leicester, Derby and Bournemouth where in 1979 his managerial career began promisingly with promotion in his first season as player-manager.   Webb returned to Stamford Bridge in 1993 as caretaker manager, and steered us safely away from relegation following on from the debacle left by outgoing coach Ian Porterfield.  Despite winning 5 of his 13 games in charge, Glenn Hoddle replaced him as Chelsea manager the following season, and the ‘new’ Chelsea was born.

Daily Dose: 10 April

EDGING CLOSER

Despite an Arsenal win three years ago today, our 11 point lead meant that if we could beat the Gunners in our next league fixture, we’d still be on target to claim the title with a win against Fulham, on April 23rd, 50 years to the day since we won our previous title.  Expectation was beginning to reach crippling levels.

BORO BORE DRAW

Four years ago today, and a goalless draw at home to Middlesbrough sees manager Claudio Ranieri conceding the title to Arsenal; “I said Arsenal could only lose the title but after the Liverpool match I say well done, they are the champions”.

ANOTHER NIL NIL

Came in 2002 when the result perhaps reflected the proximity of the upcoming FA Cup Semi Final v Fulham. 

THE WIDE OPEN SPACES OF SELHURST PARK

1995 and only 7,022 fans are in attendance to see Chelsea draw 1-1 with Wimbledon during their tenancy of Selhurst Park. Frank Sinclair bags the goal for the Blues.

DROY JOY IN DERBY VICTORY

Big & bearded Mickey Droy scores one of his 13 League goals in his 14 seasons at the Bridge in a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers at the Bridge. Colin Lee grabs the other.

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JOE COLE, PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Three years ago yesterday saw JT grabbing PFA player of the month accolade, whilst four years ago days ago today it was Joe Cole picking up an equivalent award, this time from Premiership sponsors Barclays. Two goals in three games (all won) gave him the award, again following in the footsteps of two team-mates already to have won the award on this all conquering season (following on from Arjen and JT).

DIRTY LEEDS DEFEAT US

You have to go back to 1998 for the last time Chelsea played on 8 April. The Blues go down 3-1 to Leeds United at Elland Road in a Premiership Fixture. French centre back Laurent Charvet scored the second of his two Chelsea goals to give the blues a consolation.

BAGGIES BEATEN IN PROMOTION SIX POINTER

1989 and with both sides pushing for Promotion, Chelsea’s 3-2 victory at the Hawthorns is a significant step back to Division One. Captain Graham Roberts, David Lee & Kevin McAllister score the important goals in front of a crowd of 22,858. All the goals came in the first half.

QUARTER FINAL VICTORY.

On their way to the (ultimately unsuccessful) 1967 FA Cup Final, the Blues face Sheffield Wednesday in a 6th round tie. 52,481 are in attendance at the Bridge to see a late winner from Tommy Baldwin send Docherty’s Diamonds on to the semi-final with a 1-0 victory.

DIRTY LEEDS THRASHED

Saturday 8 April 1933 and a Division One clash at the Bridge sees Chelsea send Leeds home with their tails between their legs after a 6-0 victory watched by 31,905. Goals came from George Gibson who got two, supported by singles from Eric Oakton, George Mills, Hughie Gallagher and Stanley Prout.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREPARATION

Three years ago today, with the team preparing for the Champions League Quarter Final first leg at home to Bayern Munich, manager Jose Mourinho chooses the eve of game press conference to announce that striker Mikael Forssell will start the game on the bench, ending seven months of injury misery and the premature ending of his loan period with Birmingham. With Kezman suspended and Robben injured, attacking options were limited, so the 24 year old Finn was to make an unexpected return to Stamford Bridge action and begin what was to be a final 3 months as a Chelsea player.

STADIUM OF LIGHT SUCCESS

2003 and the last match played on this date sees goals from ‘Franco Zola & substitute Carlton Cole give us a 2-1 Premier League victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland were to finish bottom, with a record Premiership low total of 19 points. Claudio Ranieri’s team went on to finish 4th.

BARCELONA BEATEN

A great performance from the Blues on this day in 2000 when goals from a ‘Franco free-kick and two from Tore Andre Flo put Chelsea 3-0 up against the Catalans. Alas Figo managed to get an away goal that would ultimately become significant in the second leg of this Champions League Quarter Final.

FIRST LEAGUE CUP VICTORY

A goalless draw in the second leg of the League Cup Final of 1964 is enough to see the Blues parading the trophy in front of the fans at Leicester’s Filbert Street, following on from the narrow 3-2 victory at Stamford Bridge in the first instalment.

SEMI FINAL DRAWN

5 April 1952 and for the second time in three seasons the Blues face Arsenal in a FA Cup Semi Final. As previously the game is played at White Hart Lane, as previously it ends in a draw (Billy Gray scoring for Chelsea) and as previously we were come second best when the teams met again two days later.

THE BRIDGE HOSTS ITS FIRST INTERNATIONAL

1915 sees the first of three international matches to be staged at Stamford Bridge. 52,000 fans see England beat Scotland 1-0 to win the British Championship.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERLAND

Former Blues defender Erland Johnsen was born on this day in 1967. The popular Norweigan went on to play for the blues 182 times and was an important part in our Cup Successes of the 1990′s.

Daily Dose: 6 April

Another look back through history with Dan Davies with the Champions League Quarter finals providing recent memories:

REMEMBER THE WOOLLY HAT?

Three years ago, and it was Champions League Quarter Final First leg time, with German powerhouses Bayern Munich visiting SW6. Chelsea took less than 200 seconds to take the lead, with Joe Cole converting a Damien Duff cross with a little help from a deflection from Lucio, Bayern’s Brazilian defender. No further goals came before the interval, and our opponents pulled level early in the second period with Sebastian Schweinsteiger following in to knock home a rebound from a Ze Roberto shot. Parity lasted only six minutes before Frank Lampard brought us back in front, volleying home from the edge of the box. If Lampard’s first volley was spectacular, his second was sublime as he extended our lead to 3-1 when he swivelled to knock home his own chest down of a Makelele through ball in text book fashion. The tie appeared safe when Drogba made it four one before a very late and extremely dubious penalty, won & scored by Michael Ballack gave our visitors a little hope for the second leg, in which as for this game, Jose Mourinho would be serving a touchline ban, which he was attempting to circumvent by high tech methods, including seeming to relay messages to coach Rui Faria, who was wearing a ‘suspicious’ woolly hat whilst sitting on the bench.

WAYNE BRIDGE, SCORED A ****ING GREAT GOAL

A night of high passion in the Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg at Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium. Chelsea are definite underdogs having drawn the first leg 1-1 and having failed to beat the Gooners in 17 previous attempts. The home side took the lead in first half stoppage time when Ambrosio failed to deal with a Lauren cross and allowing Reyes to stab home, but in a dramatic second half, Frank Lampard tucked home the rebound from an accurate(!) Claude Makelele shot and with 3 minutes to go Left Back Bridge brought the ball forward down the left wing, played a lovely 1-2 with Eidur, and sent the Blues into raptures with a well placed shot past Lehman to win the tie.

SEMI FINAL DEFEAT

Today in 1995 sees a Gus Poyet Inspired Real Zaragoza beat us 3-1 in a European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final first leg in front of 35,000 at La Romareda. Despite a heroic fight back in the second leg, Chelsea go out. It’s not all doom & gloom however, for the result does pave the way for the glorious #”Nayim, from the Half Way Line” goal that beats Arsenal in the Final.

TOPSY TURVY DRAW

1991 and a first division fixture against Luton. Chelsea go 3-0 down to the visitors in short time, before coming back through goals from Le Saux, Stuart & Wise. Victory is denied when Le Saux is sent off. Frank Sinclair makes his first team debut for the Blues.

THE END OF AN ERA

1933 and Chelsea’s longest serving Manager signs off. In David Calderhead’s final game before retirement, Chelsea draw 1-1 with Sunderland, the point ensuring that Chelsea narrowly avoid relegation. 

Daily Dose: 7 April

JT IS PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Three ago today, and John Terry is named PFA player of the month, becoming the third Chelsea player (after Robben in November and Lampard in January) to win the award, voted for by fans visiting the PFA website. Chelsea had gone undefeated through March and our captains fine month was of course topped off when he struck the decisive goal in the 4-2 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge.

DEMOLITION DERBY (1)

The last time that we played on this date saw 4 second half goals demolish Derby County in a Premiership match at Pride Park. Gianfranco got the first, before a lob from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink doubled our advantage with 5 minutes to go. Gus Poyet grabbed the last two, the first from a corner and the second a trademark header to seal a comprehensive victory on this day in 2001.

DEMOLITION DERBY (2)

A different kind of derby, but the same outcome. 1984 and a Second division clash with Fulham at the Bridge. Chelsea on their way to the championship put four without reply past our neighbours in front of nearly 32,000 fans. Victory is achieved through a brace for Kerry Dixon, supported by goals from Pat Nevin & David Speedie.

FA CUP SEMI FINAL HEARTACHE

1952 and a mere two days after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, the Blues are again at White Hart Lane and facing the Gooners. Alas the blues come second best and fail to make the final, with a crowd of 57,450 witnessing the 3-0 reverse.

WARTIME WEMBLEY TROPHY

Today in 1945 sees Chelsea in Football League South Cup Final action for the second time in two years. Goals from George Wardle and John McDonald see Chelsea climbing the 39 steps and lifting a trophy for the first time after a 2-0 victory over Millwall in front of 95,000 spectators.

DERBY DAY VICTORY

The most recent fixture on this date was 1999′s 1-0 defeat over neighbours Charlton Athletic in front of 20,046 at the Valley. Bobby Di Matteo got the decisive goal for Chelsea on the way to our best ever finish (thus far) in the Premiership era. The Blues went on to finish 3rd – 4 points behind eventual champions Manchester United.

HOW WE USED TO LIVE

In a sobering reminder of how things used to be, 4 April 1979 sees only 10,682 attracted to the second division match between Chelsea & Derby County at the Bridge, during Danny Blanchflower’s short time in charge of the Blues. Tommy “Lungs” Langley scored the goal for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw, but apart from young captain Butch Wilkins and the evergreen Chopper Harris, the playing talent consisted of the more prosaic talents of players like Graham Wilkins, David Stride, Mickey Nutton and Lee Frost.

SEMI FINAL AT THE BRIDGE

Today’s date in 1978 sees the most recent FA Cup Semi Final to be staged at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal comfortably beat Leyton Orient 3-0 but are (tragically!) beaten by Ipswich in the final.

WAR CUP CLASH

Back to 1942 now and a Group 4 “War Cup” match sees the Blues make the short trip to Selhurst Park. Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3-0 on 4 April. Future England Manager Walter Winterbottom, playing as an Amateur, guested for Chelsea in this game, which was won by 2 goals from Albert Tennant after the opener from Jackie Smith. Winterbottom would go on to play 26 times for the Blues as the war continued.

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THIS TIME THREE YEARS AGO

36 Months ago, and with the 5 point shift from the previous day’s events fresh in the minds, speculation was rife that win’s in Chelsea’s next three league fixtures, all at home (to Birmingham, Arsenal & Fulham) would see us take the title on 22 April, exactly 50 years to the day since we’d last secured a Championship win. Away from the Premiership and minds were beginning to focus on the challenge that Bayern Munich would provide us as we aimed to couple our domestic success with progress in the Champions League.

SPURS BEATEN (AGAIN!)

Four years ago today Chelsea travelled to Three Point Lane in anticipation of yet another victory over perpetual whipping-boys Tottenham Hotspur. The victory comes as anticipated, through a goal from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and a clean sheet for the defence. The win, our fifth victory in succession took us to within four points of
leaders Arsenal, as we pushed hard for an eventual second place finish, making the 2003/04 season, at the time, the second best in our history.

BORO BASHED

3 April 1993 and a 4-0 victory brings the first of many doses of sweet revenge over Middlesbrough, who had sentenced us to relegation in the 1989 Play off Final. Goals came from Mal Donaghy, Graham Stuart, John Spencer and substitute (and former school colleague of your author) Darren Barnard. In a measure of how times have changed, only 13,043 fans were attracted by this tie.

The victory was all the sweeter come the seasons end when Middlesbrough sunk back to Division One, failing to avoid relegation by 5 points. Chelsea ended up the season (not for the first time) comfortably in the middle of the table.

WAR TIME CUP VICTORY

Today in 1943 sees Chelsea taking on and beating Millwall 2-1 in a Football League South Cup match in front of 4,000 at the Den. Bernard Bryant & Harold Deverall get the goals for Chelsea. Chelsea were to go on to win the trophy in the following season – our first ever trip to Wembley.

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LAST CALL FOR SOXY

A major step in our progress towards the title came a year ago today, when Chelsea faced Southampton at St. Mary’s in what was to prove to be Graeme Le Saux’s final appearance against his former employers. In a game that kicked off at 5:15pm, we had already celebrated Manchester United, our main rivals at the time, dropping 2 points in a goalless draw at home to Blackburn and began the game knowing that only four more victories would guarantee the title. A heavily deflected Frank Lampard free kick (thanks Rory Delap!) defeated Southampton ‘keeper Anti Niemi to give us a 21st minute lead, and we doubled our advantage seven minutes before the interval when Glenn Johnson jinked past four Southampton defenders on a 40 yard run before squaring the ball to Eidur Gudjohnsen who had time to steady himself before driving the ball home. Kevin Phillips pulled one back for Southampton in the second half, but Eidur was on the end of one of the moves of the season to secure a 3-1 win.

SEMI FINAL DEFEAT

1998, and only 4 days after our League Cup Final victory over Middlesbrough, Chelsea are in European Cup-Winners Cup Semi-Final action against Vicenza at the Romeo Menti Stadium. They go down to the games only goal and face a tough task in the second leg to be held 14 days later at The Bridge.

DERBY DAY DRAW

Saturday 2 April 1983 saw us make the short trip to Craven Cottage for a Division Two clash with neighbours Fulham, Chelsea draw 1-1, with Paul Cannovile bagging the goal for the blues. 15,249 fans watched on.

THE (FIRST) SAVIOUR ARRIVES

Friday 2 April 1982, 8:45pm. Kenneth William Bates takes ownership of Chelsea for a nominal £1.

BIG WIN AT THE BRIDGE

Back to 1949 now, and a good day for Billy Birrell’s Chelsea side, with a 5-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at the Bridge, in front of 48,136 spectators. Benny Jones scored two, with the others coming from an own goal, Roy Bentley and Bobby Campbell (no relation to our former manager of the same name). Goalkeeper Harry Medhurst was to go on to serve the club as trainer/physiotherapist for many seasons.

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Chelsea would win their first Championship title in 50 years by the end of April, and anticipation was growing around Stamford Bridge as we closed in on the title. Immediately in focus was a trip to Southampton’s St. Mary’s stadium where a win would see us within 12 points of victory and put our opponents in deeper relegation trouble. Geremi and Paulo Ferriera were battling to overcome injuries but the mood was positive as a momentous month began.

JIMMY IN TROUBLE

1 April 2004′s news concerned Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink, who was cleared by the FA from a charge of violent conduct arising out of the FA Cup victory over non-league Scarborough. Jimmy was in his final season at Stamford Bridge before his transfer to Middlesbrough. Purchased for a then club record £15,000,000 from Athletico Madrid, Jerrel (“Jimmy” was actually a nickname given to him by the chairman of one of his former clubs, Portugal’s Campomaiorense to put reporters off the scent of a transfer, the name being chosen for no discernable reason) spent 4 seasons at Chelsea and scored 87 goals in 176 starts and 21 substitute appearances.

CARLO THE PENALTY KING

In our last game played on this day, Carlo Cudicini’s third penalty save of the season ensured a goalless draw against Ipswich at Portman Road in 2002. Carlo dived to his right to palm Marcus Bent’s first half spot kick around the post for his third penalty save of that season, after John Terry’s clumsy tackle had seen Alun Armstrong tumbling in the box. A close range header from Mario Stanic, which flashed narrowly wide was as good as it got for Chelsea in a season where we were to finish in 6th position and secure a UEFA cup place.

Opponents Ipswich ended the season on 36 points, four below Sunderland and Bolton and relegated back to Division One.

LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD

In 2000, Jon Harley’s goal gave us a 1-0 win over Leeds at Elland Road.

UNSTOPPABLE DIXON

Kerry Dixon scores 4 against Barnsley as the Blues progress towards the Division Two Championship continues unabated. Gordon Durie adds the other goal in a 5-3 win at the Bridge in 1989.

A STEP TOWARDS PROMOTION

Goals from Tambling (2) and Blunstone secure a 3-1 win in front of 21,211 fans at home to Luton on the way to another promotion from Division Two in 1963

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