1905–06 Chelsea F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1905-06 season was Chelsea Football Club's first competitive season and first year in existence as a football club. As a new team to the English Football League
, Chelsea competed in the Football League Second Division
with 19 other teams, playing each at home and away. Under the management of player-manager John Robertson, Chelsea finished third in the division, earning 53 points (under the two points for a win system) in 38 games.
Chelsea Football Club were founded on 14 March 1905 although the club's early existence was hindered with problems. Since there was already a team named Fulham in the borough
, a name for the club had to be decided. After London FC, Kensington FC and Stamford Bridge FC were rejected, the name of the adjacent borough, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
, was settled on.
Blue shirts were adopted for the team by the club's founder and first chairman, Gus Mears
, along with white shorts
and dark blue socks
. Further problems arose when the team were denied entry to the Southern League
following objections from Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur
, so admission to the Football League was applied for. Their candidacy was endorsed at the Football League AGM
on 29 May 1905. Scottish international John Robertson was hired as the club's first player-manager, a half-back who would go on to score Chelsea's first competitive goal in a 1-0 win against Blackpool
. After this, the club recruited many established players from other teams, including 22 stone goalkeeper William "Fatty" Foulke
previously of Sheffield United
, and forward Jimmy Windridge
who came from Small Heath
.
Chelsea were one of four new teams to join the Football League, the other three being Hull City
, Leeds City and Clapton Orient, who would later become Leyton Orient.
on 2 September 1905, where they lost 1-0. They remained unbeaten for six games after, winning five, before successive losses to Chesterfield
and Burslem Port Vale
followed. Despite these unexpected defeats, Chelsea continued to play well, following up with a fifteen match long unbeaten run during which the side won ten and kept successive clean sheets for nine.
After a mid-season defeat to Hull City
, Chelsea won five successive matches, a run that included a 7-0 victory over Port Vale
, a team that was only one of three successful in defeating Chelsea so far that season. This victory set the early club record for the largest winning margin in a match, replacing the scoreline of 6-0 that Barnsley
and Blackpool were defeated by.
The run of form did not continue for Chelsea, and after a defeat to Burnley
and two small victories, the team only managed three draws and two defeats from their last five games. They finished third in the Second Division behind Bristol City
and Manchester United and one point ahead of West Bromwich Albion in fourth, one place away from promotion.
– A fixture highlighted in this colour indicates Chelsea won the match.
– A fixture highlighted in this colour indicates the match was drawn.
– A fixture highlighted in this colour indicates Chelsea lost the match.
English Football League
English football league is not specific; it may refer to:* The Football League - the highest four divisions of English football until 1992 and the three divisions below the Premier League since 1992;...
, Chelsea competed in the Football League Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
with 19 other teams, playing each at home and away. Under the management of player-manager John Robertson, Chelsea finished third in the division, earning 53 points (under the two points for a win system) in 38 games.
Formation and pre-season buildup
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
, a name for the club had to be decided. After London FC, Kensington FC and Stamford Bridge FC were rejected, the name of the adjacent borough, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a central London borough of Royal borough status. After the City of Westminster, it is the wealthiest borough in England....
, was settled on.
Blue shirts were adopted for the team by the club's founder and first chairman, Gus Mears
Gus Mears
Henry Augustus "Gus" Mears was an English businessman, most notable for founding Chelsea Football Club.He was born in 1873, the son of Joseph and Charlotte Mears....
, along with white shorts
Shorts
Shorts are a bifurcated garment worn by both men and women over their pelvic area, circling the waist, and covering the upper part of the legs, sometimes extending down to or even below the knee, but not covering the entire length of the leg. They are called "shorts" because they are a shortened...
and dark blue socks
SOCKS
SOCKS is an Internet protocol that routes network packets between a client and server through a proxy server. SOCKS5 additionally provides authentication so only authorized users may access a server...
. Further problems arose when the team were denied entry to the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
following objections from Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
, so admission to the Football League was applied for. Their candidacy was endorsed at the Football League AGM
Annual general meeting
An annual general meeting is a meeting that official bodies, and associations involving the public , are often required by law to hold...
on 29 May 1905. Scottish international John Robertson was hired as the club's first player-manager, a half-back who would go on to score Chelsea's first competitive goal in a 1-0 win against Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
. After this, the club recruited many established players from other teams, including 22 stone goalkeeper William "Fatty" Foulke
William Foulke (footballer)
William Henry "Fatty" Foulke was a professional cricketer and football player in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
previously of Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, and forward Jimmy Windridge
Jimmy Windridge
James Edwin "Jimmy" Windridge was an English footballer who played as an inside forward. He made more than 250 appearances in the Football League for Small Heath/Birmingham, Chelsea and Middlesbrough, and played eight times for England.-Football career:Born in Small Heath, Birmingham, Windridge...
who came from Small Heath
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
Chelsea were one of four new teams to join the Football League, the other three being Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, Leeds City and Clapton Orient, who would later become Leyton Orient.
Season review and highlights
Chelsea's first league match took place away at Stockport CountyStockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
on 2 September 1905, where they lost 1-0. They remained unbeaten for six games after, winning five, before successive losses to Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
and Burslem Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
followed. Despite these unexpected defeats, Chelsea continued to play well, following up with a fifteen match long unbeaten run during which the side won ten and kept successive clean sheets for nine.
After a mid-season defeat to Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, Chelsea won five successive matches, a run that included a 7-0 victory over Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, a team that was only one of three successful in defeating Chelsea so far that season. This victory set the early club record for the largest winning margin in a match, replacing the scoreline of 6-0 that Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
and Blackpool were defeated by.
The run of form did not continue for Chelsea, and after a defeat to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
and two small victories, the team only managed three draws and two defeats from their last five games. They finished third in the Second Division behind Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
and Manchester United and one point ahead of West Bromwich Albion in fourth, one place away from promotion.
Second Division
Key:– A fixture highlighted in this colour indicates Chelsea won the match.
– A fixture highlighted in this colour indicates the match was drawn.
– A fixture highlighted in this colour indicates Chelsea lost the match.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 September 1905 | Stockport County | Edgeley Park Edgeley Park Edgeley Park is an association football and rugby union stadium in Stockport, England. The stadium was initially built for the rugby league club Stockport in 1901, but by 1902, the rugby club was defunct and in the same year, Stockport County Football Club, who were looking for a bigger ground,... (Away) |
1-0 |
| 9 September 1905 | Blackpool Blackpool Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester... |
Bloomfield Road Bloomfield Road Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000... (Away) |
0-1 |
| 11 September 1905 | Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
Stamford Bridge Stamford Bridge (stadium) Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge... (Home) |
5-1 |
| 16 September 1905 | Bradford City | Valley Parade Valley Parade Valley Parade, also known as the Coral Windows Stadium through sponsorship rights, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1886, and was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association... (Away) |
1-1 |
| 23 September 1905 | West Bromwich Albion | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 1-0 |
| 30 September 1905 | Leicester City | Filbert Street Filbert Street Filbert Street, in Leicester, England, was a football stadium, and the home of Leicester City from 1891 to 2002. Although officially titled "The City Business Stadium" in the early 1990s, it remained known almost exclusively by its address, like many English football stadia.- Early years :The club,... (Away) |
0-1 |
| 14 October 1905 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
Sincil Bank Sincil Bank Sincil Bank is a football stadium in Lincoln, England and has been the home of Lincoln City since 1895. Previously, Lincoln City had played at the nearby John O'Gaunts ground since the club's 1884 inception. Sincil Bank has an overall capacity of 10,120 and is colloquially known to fans as "The... (Away) |
1-4 |
| 21 October 1905 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
Stamford Bridge (Home) | 0-1 |
| 30 October 1905 | Burslem Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
Athletic Ground Athletic Ground (Cobridge) The Athletic Ground was a football stadium, located in Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent and home to Port Vale for 27 years, hosting twelve Football League seasons.... (Away) |
3-2 |
| 4 November 1905 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
Stamford Bridge (Home) | 6-0 |
| 11 November 1905 | Leyton Orient | Brisbane Road (Away) | 0-3 |
| 18 November 1905 | Burnley Burnley F.C. Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888... |
Stamford Bridge (Home) | 1-0 |
| 25 November 1905 | Leeds City | Elland Road Elland Road Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C... (Away) |
0-0 |
| 2 December 1905 | Burton United Burton United F.C. Burton United Football Club was an English football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire that played in The Football League between 1901 and 1907, before folding in 1910.-History:... |
Stamford Bridge (Home) | 3-0 |
| 9 December 1905 | Grimsby Town | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 2-0 |
| 16 December 1905 | Gainsborough Trinity Gainsborough Trinity F.C. Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304... |
The Northolme The Northolme The Northolme is a multi-use stadium in Gainsborough, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Gainsborough Trinity F.C.... (Away) |
0-2 |
| 23 December 1905 | Bristol City | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 0-0 |
| 25 December 1905 | Manchester United | Old Trafford Old Trafford Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:... (Home) |
0-0 |
| 26 December 1905 | Glossop North End Glossop North End A.F.C. Glossop North End A.F.C. are an English football club based in Glossop, Derbyshire. Former members of the Football League, they are currently in the North West Counties League and are members of the Derbyshire County Football Association. They play their home matches at Surrey Street, which has a... |
North Road Glossop North End A.F.C. Glossop North End A.F.C. are an English football club based in Glossop, Derbyshire. Former members of the Football League, they are currently in the North West Counties League and are members of the Derbyshire County Football Association. They play their home matches at Surrey Street, which has a... (Away) |
2-4 |
| 30 December 1905 | Stockport County | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 4-2 |
| 6 January 1906 | Blackpool | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 6-0 |
| 20 January 1906 | Bradford City | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 4-2 |
| 27 January 1906 | West Bromwich Albion | The Hawthorns The Hawthorns The Hawthorns is an all-seater football stadium in West Bromwich, Sandwell, England, with a capacity of 26,484. It has been the home of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900, when it became the sixth ground to be used by the club. The ground was the last Football League ground to be built in the... (Away) |
1-1 |
| 5 February 1906 | Leicester City | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 3-3 |
| 10 February 1906 | Hull City | Anlaby Road Cricket Ground Anlaby Road Anlaby Road was a sports venue in Hull. The ground was used for football club Hull City between 1906 to 1939. The record attendance was 32,000 in a FA Cup game against Newcastle United... (Away) |
4-3 |
| 17 February 1906 | Lincoln City | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 4-2 |
| 24 February 1906 | Chesterfield | Saltergate (Away) | 0-2 |
| 3 March 1906 | Burslem Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
Stamford Bridge (Home) | 7-0 |
| 10 March 1906 | Barnsley | Oakley Oakley Oakley may refer to:* Oakley, Inc., an eyewear manufacturer* Baron Oakley, a hereditary title-United Kingdom:*Oakley, Bedfordshire, England*Oakley, Buckinghamshire, England*Oakley, Dorset, England*Oakley, Fife, Scotland... (Away) |
1-2 |
| 17 March 1906 | Leyton Orient | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 6-1 |
| 24 March 1906 | Burnley | Turf Moor Turf Moor Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of... (Away) |
2-0 |
| 31 March 1906 | Leeds City | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 4-0 |
| 7 April 1906 | Burton United | Peel Croft Burton United F.C. Burton United Football Club was an English football club from Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire that played in The Football League between 1901 and 1907, before folding in 1910.-History:... (Away) |
2-4 |
| 13 April 1906 | Manchester United | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 1-1 |
| 14 April 1906 | Grimsby Town | Blundell Park Blundell Park Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late... (Away) |
1-1 |
| 16 April 1906 | Glossop North End | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 0-0 |
| 24 April 1906 | Gainsborough Trinity | Stamford Bridge (Home) | 1-3 |
| 28 April 1906 | Bristol City | Ashton Gate Ashton Gate Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average... (Away) |
2-1 |
Position in league
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
38 | 30 | 6 | 2 | 83 | 28 | 2.964 | 66 |
| 2 | Manchester United Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958... |
38 | 28 | 6 | 4 | 90 | 28 | 3.214 | 62 |
| 3 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 90 | 37 | 2.432 | 53 |
| 4 | West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
38 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 79 | 36 | 2.194 | 52 |
| 5 | Hull City Hull City A.F.C. Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football... |
38 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 67 | 54 | 1.241 | 44 |