PHWEEEEEE!
The first half ends goalless — 0-0 between Manchester City and Chelsea.
Midway through the match, Richard, Marina, and Miss Heysen were escorted by a steward to meet none other than Ken Bates, the then-chairman of Chelsea.
Naturally, any conversation about Chelsea at this time must take into account the club's tumultuous history.
After a golden era between 1955 and 1971, Chelsea had entered a long period of decline, both on and off the pitch.
By the early 1980s, the club was plagued by serious financial troubles and a reputation for hooliganism among sections of its support. Their situation worsened after a failed attempt to purchase their own stadium, Stamford Bridge, which left the club at the mercy of property developers and legal uncertainty. Things became so dire that Chelsea was technically insolvent, unable to pay its creditors and it was even served with an eviction notice.
