Thanks Craig for those wonderful memories,it takes me back to when we would jump in a car or train and just go to a game home or away n pay at the gate☺️ my first game at the bridge was against Shrewsbury town when we were in the old division two and we lost 2-1 with Colin Lee scoring our goal I think it was 1979 and the club was really starting to sink.Batesy took over a couple of years later and really shook things up. We had such connection with him and the club and whatever decisions he made, weather sacking a popular manager like Ruud Gullit or whatever, he would always go on various media including Chelsea TV when it was launched ,to explain everything. My favourite memories of Chelsea despite the vast amount of success that came after him he will always be my favorite chairman. Thank you for the memories and great times Ken, God bless and rest you
Well written Craige, similar to you I can write a book on Ken and my time in and around Chelsea, in fact that's what I'm doing, I have some rough chapters, you should do the same.
One for you the phone rings at home, dad picks it up, its Ken asking do I want to do some driving practice as I had just passed my test an would get to drive the Bentley, Yes im in and a little latter im picked up and were off, where to? we're scouting tonight, off to Reading then a pub after, that's how involved he was in the club he would often go and see players in person.
He always managed to make me laugh, even ordering a beer for me at Fishnets opening and then getting up as I said thanks with the words, its OK your paying for it....
Ken was also a passionate England supporter, I recall singing England till I die alongside him at a game. RIP Ken thanks for the memories
Thanks so much for this obituary, Craige. Absolutely loved all the memories, and it really took me back. I began supporting CFC in 1984 - after attending a match at SB with my mates from school, and an uncle. I was instantly hooked, and never looked back.
I hope everyone liked the review/obituary. I had fun writing it and it made me remember some happy days.
As it was getting long, longer than I planned I left out one story that still makes me chuckle. Halfway through our promotion season, the last time we were in the lower league, I was standing at the shed end with some mates for all the home games. These were the days where you could just turn up and pay on the door and there was never a problem getting in.
Anyway, towards Christmas Uncle Ken decided to offer all of us half price season tickets. Four of us decided it was too good to deal to miss so we jumped it. We got great seats in the middle of the east stand middle tier. It was only halfway through the process that the four of us, with obviously less than half a brain, realised that in fact it was still a full price ticket as he was offering us a half price ticket for half the season that remained 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. We still proceeded and they were my tickets forever thereafter
I wish! Not a drop of alcohol when we made the decision and came to choose our seats! And yes, we could choose our seats because there were so many to choose from. How times have changed.
Thanks Craig - great tribute. I recall sending him £25 for some ground-related appeal while complaining about a ban on Chelsea fans going to away matches when we were in Division 2 (I am old school!). He wrote back personally, thanking me for the £25, and then explaining why my suggested solution to the ban was totally useless (!) and presenting his own (vastly superior) solution. I knew then why he was such a great businessman/football administrator - and I was never cut out for the role.....
RIP and thanks Ken - you saved our club. And thanks Craige for your memories
Thanks Craig for those wonderful memories,it takes me back to when we would jump in a car or train and just go to a game home or away n pay at the gate☺️ my first game at the bridge was against Shrewsbury town when we were in the old division two and we lost 2-1 with Colin Lee scoring our goal I think it was 1979 and the club was really starting to sink.Batesy took over a couple of years later and really shook things up. We had such connection with him and the club and whatever decisions he made, weather sacking a popular manager like Ruud Gullit or whatever, he would always go on various media including Chelsea TV when it was launched ,to explain everything. My favourite memories of Chelsea despite the vast amount of success that came after him he will always be my favorite chairman. Thank you for the memories and great times Ken, God bless and rest you
Well written Craige, similar to you I can write a book on Ken and my time in and around Chelsea, in fact that's what I'm doing, I have some rough chapters, you should do the same.
One for you the phone rings at home, dad picks it up, its Ken asking do I want to do some driving practice as I had just passed my test an would get to drive the Bentley, Yes im in and a little latter im picked up and were off, where to? we're scouting tonight, off to Reading then a pub after, that's how involved he was in the club he would often go and see players in person.
He always managed to make me laugh, even ordering a beer for me at Fishnets opening and then getting up as I said thanks with the words, its OK your paying for it....
Ken was also a passionate England supporter, I recall singing England till I die alongside him at a game. RIP Ken thanks for the memories
Thanks so much for this obituary, Craige. Absolutely loved all the memories, and it really took me back. I began supporting CFC in 1984 - after attending a match at SB with my mates from school, and an uncle. I was instantly hooked, and never looked back.
I hope everyone liked the review/obituary. I had fun writing it and it made me remember some happy days.
As it was getting long, longer than I planned I left out one story that still makes me chuckle. Halfway through our promotion season, the last time we were in the lower league, I was standing at the shed end with some mates for all the home games. These were the days where you could just turn up and pay on the door and there was never a problem getting in.
Anyway, towards Christmas Uncle Ken decided to offer all of us half price season tickets. Four of us decided it was too good to deal to miss so we jumped it. We got great seats in the middle of the east stand middle tier. It was only halfway through the process that the four of us, with obviously less than half a brain, realised that in fact it was still a full price ticket as he was offering us a half price ticket for half the season that remained 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. We still proceeded and they were my tickets forever thereafter
Brilliant story - I expect Ken might have sensed you had one pre-match Guinness too many when he pulled this fast one! Great memories.
I wish! Not a drop of alcohol when we made the decision and came to choose our seats! And yes, we could choose our seats because there were so many to choose from. How times have changed.
I remember those old turnstiles, and just paying on the way in - shortly after buying a programme, of course. Halcyon days!
Don’t forget the Bovril Gate Dan. At the top of the steps by the Bovril Stall was our meeting point.
Thanks Craig - great tribute. I recall sending him £25 for some ground-related appeal while complaining about a ban on Chelsea fans going to away matches when we were in Division 2 (I am old school!). He wrote back personally, thanking me for the £25, and then explaining why my suggested solution to the ban was totally useless (!) and presenting his own (vastly superior) solution. I knew then why he was such a great businessman/football administrator - and I was never cut out for the role.....
RIP and thanks Ken - you saved our club. And thanks Craige for your memories
Very funny