VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3 JULY 2009
SUMMER TOUR APPROACHES!
Notes from the Chairwoman
IS EVERYONE READY FOR THE SUMMER
TOUR!? Does it seems like you have been
waiting forever? Does it seem that it will
never get here? Well if so, call me - we
have loads that still needs to be done!
This is seriously going to be the best
summer tour ever, and all thanks to the
veritable BLUE ARMY we have enlisted
from all the members! Bear with me
while I mention all those that gave of
their time and talents to help out. In no
particular order... The TXBlues and PCB
members that have blagged, begged,
followed up on leads and sold so many
extra tickets to help pay for the legends;
Cary for a tireless, and at times
frustrating, job getting us all room
deals, flight deals, and transportation
and pulling it all together like the pro he
is; Chris and Huby, who have been my
far left coast arm and done more than I
can tell you; Mitch and Danny for pulling
off what will be the most incredible
supporters tournament in history,
complete with a cup; Kelley and all those
that have submitted, wrote, edited and
double checked the website so that all
the info is updated; Jeremy, John and
Danny (again) for sending out the
messages on the podcasts and are
planning some very cool media stuff; our
very sweet editor, Jamie who is tirelessly
dragging info out of all of us for the
newsletter; Tel (and his right hand
“man”, Amy) for what I know will be the
most interesting quiz ever; Teri, for
keeping on top of all the merchandise
projects from which we will all benefit,
and you haven’t seen some of it yet!
(don’t you love surprises?); Raciel, for
her patience, her creativity, and her
endless hours of computer work to
design and produce some of the coolest
graphics on the planet; to all of you that
bought a ticket, reserved a hotel room,
bought a shirt, a flag, a bus ticket, a
tailgate ticket or whatever to help us
raise the funds to bring 2 legends and
Neil to us this summer; and most of all
to Andy and Paul, who have been there • Notes From the
every day, while I drove them crazy with
Chairwoman
endless lists, checks, questions and
utter chaos. You all have no idea how • Legends Profiles
much time they have put in and what • 5 Questions For...
they have put up with. Without those
two, honestly we fall apart and I adore
Neil Barnett
them and respect them more than I can • Summer Tour
ever tell them. Please, if you see any of City-by-City Info
these fine folks on the tour, buy them a
drink, pat them on the back, or simply • Finn McCool's
tell them what a great time you are Football Club Book
having. Preview
 
If you haven’t been to the tour website • Tales from
pages, you are missing out. All the Summer Tours
information is there and it is being
Past
updated literally daily. It should be the
first and the last place you check to get
ready for the tour. We have the greatest
pubs chosen, fantastic lodging and
unbelievable events. We were a small
army two years ago, but we are indeed a
much larger, and I know prouder and
louder army now.
 
So on to our special guests... I am so
excited about this! First, Stephen Rea,
the author of Finn McCool’s Football
Club, will be in LA and Dallas with his
books and willing to sign copies for
anyone that wants to buy one, and as I Last month we said thank
am nearly finished with my copy, I very you to Guus.... now it's
much recommend it! Stephen is time to say:
wonderful, funny and very Chelsea, and
it is going to be a pleasure to welcome
WELCOME CARLO!
him. So please if you are going to either
place, go introduce yourself and have a
chat, and if you have the dosh, buy the
book! If you are not on tour, you can
find it on Amazon (ed. note: that's where
I got my copy!), or at Borders or Barnes
and Noble.
You know I am very pleased that we have
Continued on Page 2

Notes from the
Chairwoman, continued
from Page 1
been able to raise the funds to bring
over three legends. Tommy Langley,
commentator on Chelsea Radio and TV
and also a celebrity podcast guest,
played back in the day and did a fine job
scoring goals for us! Tommy is not just a
snappy dresser and very knowledgeable
about the game, he is a laugh. One of
the nicest people I know, and always has
time to tell a story.
Clive Walker was going to accompany
Tommy, but at the last minute had an
emergency and though he tried to make
room to be here, it was not possible. He
sends his deepest regrets and vows he
will be here next summer tour, as he is
gutted to not join us in a weeklong
Chelsea-fest. Stepping into the breach
as he has done in his Chelsea past,
convincing his wife to let him have a
pass on her cousin’s wedding, is the
very tall Steve “Jock” Finnieston. Jock
didn’t have a long career at Chelsea but
signed on as a school boy, came up
through the academy with that group of
Tommy, Clive, Butch and the rest and
went on to score 24 goals in the 76/77
season to make sure we were promoted
from the second division to the first.
Jock left the game early due to injury,
but still manages to play for the Old
Boys and stays involved with his old
teammates and the club. He is really
looking forward to this and can’t believe
anyone over here will remember him.
Now I know that is not true, so be sure
to tell him that! He loves to tell a story
as well and is a great guy!
Then there is our third legend, Neil
Barnett. I have known Neil for a few
years now, and he has always had loads
of time for me and for all of us
supporters. He has a Chelsea memory
better than anyone’s (well maybe except
for Tel’s) and has more stories and
knows more players (past and present)
than anyone. He is a great friend to
drink with, listen to, and have a laugh
with. I am sure you will enjoy these boys'
company and I hope you get to know
them as well as I have over the last
years. They are certainly thrilled to be
coming. Tommy will have to miss
Seattle, but they will be with us at every
event and for every game, so don’t be
shy and have a blast!
PAGE 2
Tales from Summer
Tours Past, continued
from Page 12
Postcript One – Coming out of the
stadium, I bumped into a lad with a
London accent who I would later become
good friends with…Tuna. 
Postscript Two – I have photos of that
Chelsea section and have since
examined them and been able to identify
many people who, through subsequent
trips, I have become friends with…Andy,
Beth, Mike, Steve, Chopper to name but
a few. On this trip, we didn’t really
integrate with any people who I now
class as my friends from “across the
pond” but over the past four years, my CONTRIBUTORS:
extended Chelsea Family has grown
incredibly. And it’s all down to my great A big thanks to everyone who
aunt Julie. I often think of her and thank helps make the CIA Bluesletter
her for allowing my Chelsea World to possible.
take a leap into another dimension. 
Editor: Jamie Edwards
Postscript Three – In September 2004, I Chairwoman: Beth Wild
received an envelope containing three
Logo and Graphics: Raciel Diaz
signed 8 by 10 signed John Terry
City Landscape Graphics: Kelley
photographs, the envelope addressed to
me in his own hand. He had obviously Babin
remembered us from Pittsburgh and had Dates to Remember: Tel Stevens
sent them through for Roma, Vanessa
and Jenny. What a gentleman.  CIA Crest done in collaboration
with Who Are Ya Designs -
Postscript Four – although we have www.whoareyadesigns.com
“moved on”, I am still friendly with
Roma…after Pittsburgh 2004, the girls
Want to contribute or make a
have been on all subsequent US Tours suggestion? Send Jamie an
and hope to meet up with us for at least
email at newsletter@
one game this summer. 
chelseainamerica.com!

GETTING TO KNOW: STEVE
FINNIESTON AND TOMMY LANGLEY
by Josh Hampton
Steve, or “Jock” as he’s affectionately
known, joined Chelsea as an
apprentice at only 12 years old,
signing professional forms in 1971.
He made his debut as a striker four
years later against Leicester City, but
it wasn’t until the 1976-77 that he
became a first team regular. Jock
burst on the scene with 24 goals in
39 league games, including a game-
winner against Nottingham Forest
that was critical to Chelsea’s return
to First Division football the
following year.   Forward
Jock moved onto Sheffield United in
1978, scoring 4 goals in 23 games
before retiring in 1980 at the age of
25 due to injury. He made a
comeback a year later in non-league
football with Addlestone and Hartley
Wintney FC. In 1991 he played—and
scored!—in a friendly for Camberley
Town before retiring from
competitive football for good.
PAGE 3
QUICK STATS:
STEVE FINNIESTON
POSITION
Forward
DATE OF BIRTH
Tuesday, 30th November 1954
PLACE OF BIRTH
Edinburgh, Scotland
LEAGUE DEBUT
Saturday, 1st February 1975 in a
1-1 draw at Leicester City (Aged:
20)
CLUB CAREER
78 League apps (+2 as sub), 34
goals
Tommy Langley played as striker
alongside Steve Finnieston and
current Chelsea assistant coach (and
then captain) Ray Wilkins on Eddie
McCreadie's youthful team of the
1970’s. He made his Chelsea debut
in 1975 at age 16 against Leicester
City and quickly established himself
as a force on the pitch. He became
the club’s top scorer in 1977-78 QUICK STATS:
with 13 goals, and again the next
season with 16 goals, for which he
TOMMY LANGLEY
was voted club player of the year. 
POSITION
In 1980, after scoring 43 goals in
152 games for the Blues, Tommy
DATE OF BIRTH
made the move from Chelsea to the
Saturday, 8th February 1958
Queens Park Rangers, followed by
brief stints at Crystal Palace, AEK
PLACE OF BIRTH
Athens, Coventry City,
Wolverhampton Wanderers, South Lambeth, London
China, Aldershot and Exeter City. He
ended his career as a player in the LEAGUE DEBUT
US with the American Soccer Saturday, 9th November 1974 in
League’s Tampa Bay Rowdies. Since a 0-0 draw at home to Leicester
hanging up his boots, Tommy has City (Aged: 16)
become a regular on Chelsea TV,
with appearances including the Live CLUB CAREER
from Stamford Bridge phone-in 129 League apps (+13 as sub),
show and Match Night Live. 40 goals
 PAGE 4

5 QUESTIONS FOR... CHELSEA TV'S NEIL BARNETT

Neil has done so much for us over the last few years, and honestly has become a very dear friend to me. He is a hoot and probably
the most knowledgeable person on the game and Chelsea that I know; his mind is literally a steel trap. I have spent many an hour
with him over a pint, talking Chelsea and football and have always walked away learning more than I could ever imagine. He has
more stories than just about anyone, and everyone adores him - our first team players, our legends, just everyone. He is a
consummate professional in his job, and has worked tirelessly for the club. And he truly loves the club, he is Chelsea through and
through. And even though he knows so much, and knows just about everyone, he is one of the most affable, fun loving, and open
people you could meet. He always seems to have time for folks and always has a moment for me. (Intro by Beth Wild.)

How did you become Chelsea, and halfway line and made them each shake
when?  hands with him. 

I’m not ‘blood’ Chelsea. My dad wanted
me to be an Everton supporter (imagine
how painful the Cup Final would have
been!!)  unnecessary to come looking for me to
When he married in the 1940s he tried
to persuade my mum to go to football
just for the fun of it, and took her to
Brentford who were then in the First
Division (what’s now the Premier
League). That’s where we play our
reserve games now. Not surprisingly,
she wasn’t wowed. End of football for
the old man.  My old man kept coming right up to his
By the time I was six, he knew the
chairman of Everton through work, and
thought if he could persuade me to
support them, we could go to football
five or six times a year and sit in the
directors’ boxes of London when Everton
were the visitors.  Sensibly, the old man gave up on
The first game he took me to was in
1959, the 1959/60 season, and it was
Chelsea-Everton. We sat in what was
then the New Stand (although built in
the 1930s) and later became the North
Stand, the one built on stilts. When
Jimmy Greaves took a corner under us,
everyone shouted: “Chelsea!” and
stamped their feet on the wooden floor
three times and the whole contraption
shook!  game too.
In those days the teams came out for
kick-off when they were ready, not
together. Chelsea came out first. I
decided to support Chelsea. I remember
the score was 1-0, I know from the
record books that Greaves scored
although I don’t remember, but I do
recall two goals being disallowed for
offside and not understanding.  was in the corner, I was sitting behind
It was okay, but I wasn’t hooked. The
next three games the old man took me
to were London games not involving
Chelsea, but where Everton were the
visitors. 
I thought I was a Chelsea supporter, but
everyone at school was beginning to
support Spurs who were the best team in
the land. They were top of the League. I
was a little bit torn between Chelsea and
Spurs.  together.
Everton, and suggested going to White
Hart Lane for Spurs v Chelsea. It was
Easter Monday 1960. It was my fifth
game.  getting out of the car Hitchy hit me with
On the way there, I can still remember
him telling me that Chelsea had pulled
away from the relegation zone ever since
they’d put some young kid in goal with a
foreign name which he couldn’t
pronounce. Today would be his fifth
Spurs attacked for 89 minutes, Chelsea
broke away and scored (Greaves, of
course, but again I have no recollection
of it), and this kid goalkeeper performed
heroics. I can remember him vividly.
Chelsea won 1-0, Burnley overtook
Spurs that day and won the title. In
those days the tunnel at White Hart Lane
the goal at that end, and the kid
goalkeeper had to walk the length of the
pitch to get there. Spurs captain Danny
Blanchflower lined his side up on the
So he became my hero, and went on to
play another 724 games, and lasted so
frigging long Chelsea found it
be their next goalkeeper. Now I speak on
the phone and spend time regularly with
Peter Bonetti. He remains Chelsea’s best
ever player for me (your first hero
should always remain the best). And I
guess my parents became ‘blood’
supporters because they both got
hooked on Chelsea. 
death in 2002, and then my son took
over his season ticket and took his
grandmother until she became too old to
go. Until a couple of years ago they sat
in the front row of the Shed Upper
 
My son thinks our best player ever is
Kevin Hitchcock (his first hero), because
I took him to the training ground one
winter, snowy day, and as we were
a snowball from fully 50 yards away. Ah,
the things which make footballers great! 
 
What is your favourite (English
spelling!) Chelsea memory? 
Loads! 
th
1966: FA Cup 4 round, Chelsea 1
Leeds 0. This was the beginning of us
and them. Bobby Tambling scored early,
putting in the rebound after George
Graham hit the post. Then they attacked
for 80 minutes and couldn’t break
through and Bonetti was brilliant. Leeds
have never beaten us in a knockout
game, and we beat them in 1999 to
qualify ahead of them for the Champions
League, and we were their last game in
Continued on Page 5
 PAGE 5

Neil Barnett, continued Plus, of course, the personal highs of coach Graham Rix was waiting to be
being in the dressing room after every sentenced for having had sex with a 15-
from Page 4 triumph (and tragedy) since the late year-old, and Victoria Beckham was
the Premier League (2003, Ranieri’s last 1980s.  pregnant with Brooklyn, the game was
game) when we beat them 1-0.   boring and the Chelsea following sang:
Hopefully, they’ll get relegated to What other non-Chelsea interests do “Who’s the father, who’s the father.
League 2 next season.  you have?  Who’s the father of your kid?...” at
Beckham. There was no response, so
1970: FA Cup Final, FA Cup Final Replay. I opened and ran a bookshop for three then they sang: “Rixy is the father, Rixy
I bunked off school for the replay and years in the early 1980s and remain an is the father, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la...”
the headmaster complained to my avid reader – always fiction, then non- and all the Man Utd fans laughed and
parents. But they’d bunked off work and fiction alternatively – and the non-fiction applauded. Then they came back with:
we all went to Old Trafford together. tends to be political. Also, I am the cook “She’s too old for Rixy, she’s too old for
Now, who did we beat? Oh yeah... at home.  Rixy, la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la...” and all
Leeds!!!!!    the Chelsea fans laughed and
If you could have any player from any applauded. 
1978 and 1997: FA Cup, Chelsea 4 other team play for Chelsea, who
Liverpool 2. The first, victory against the would it be?  After Ray Parlour lost his court case
European Champions with Clive Walker against his ex-wife and she won one-
massacring Joey Jones; the second, the Firstly, I’d re-invent Kerry Dixon so he third of his future earnings, Chelsea
greatest comeback ever from the most could get the nine goals he needed to played Middlesbrough at the Bridge and
entertaining side ever – Zola, Petrescu, equal Bobby Tambling on 202. People the whole ground was singing: “Spend
Hughes, Wise, Di Matteo etc. Bliss!  always talk about Pelé and Maradona as all your money, she’s gonna spend all
the best two ever, but I’d put Zidane up your money...” and: “One Mrs Parlour,
1997: Zola’s goal in the FA Cup semi- there, so maybe we could re-invent him. there’s only one Mrs Parlour...” He had a
final against Wimbledon. The best goal Now, we need a young striker nightmare! 
I’ve ever seen. Mark Hughes said about (Benzema?), a winger (Zirkhov?) and a
how Franco turned Dean Blackwell: “He fantasist (Kaká or Sessegnon or Radikic Finally, in 2005, we played at Norwich
gave the lad twisted blood!”  or Ribery or, failing all them, where the famous cook Delia Smith is
Gudjohnsen!).  the chairwoman, and at half-time in the
1998: European Cup Winners’ Cup Final   last game when they were struggling
in Stockholm. Over 15,000 Chelsea fans Do you have any pregame rituals? If had emotionally appeared on the pitch
there. And triumph. Brilliant! From a so what are they?  and screamed into a microphone: “Let’s
personal point of view, I’d had an be ‘aving you!” Our fans quickly sang:
operation to remove a tumour two weeks No, I’m working. I get to the home “We’ve got Abramovich, you’ve got a
before and still don’t know how I games three hours beforehand and away drunken bitch...” to which their fans
managed to get out there and work.  games two hours beforehand, and then applauded, but then replied: “We’ve got
eat too much in the press room!  a supercook, you’ve got a supercrook...”
2000, 2005, 2006, 2009: Games against   to which our fans applauded, and then
Barcelona. 3-1, Zola and Flo; 4-2, the What is your favourite (!) Chelsea replied: “Down with the soufflé, you’re
best game ever; 2-2 in the Nou Camp, song?  going down with the soufflé...” 
Lampard and Drogba goals; 0-0 in the  
Nou Camp this year – do you know in In 1968 we went out of the Inter-Cities Is there one player you particularly
the two games against Barça, despite all Fairs Cup at home to DWS Amsterdam. I enjoy interviewing? 
the defending we did, John Terry did not went with my old man and a Dutch guy
commit one foul? He is easily the best he worked with. We were in the West Corny, I know, but literally everyone. For
defender in the world at present.  Stand. Five minutes from time the Shed me, the whole Chelsea family has to be
burst into song, and the Dutch guy said commemorated. Obviously there are the
2005: Bolton away and Charlton at how magnificent our supporters were ones like John Terry and Frank Lampard I
home. Winning the League and then the when the team wasn’t winning. The song have known for years. For the ‘Legends’
celebration. Perfect. The night before the was: “When it’s spring again we’ll bring series, it took me two years to find Paul
Charlton game was when the players again tulips to Amsterdam...” but they Canoville, and now he’s so involved with
broke into the studio and live on air sang “... bollocks to Amsterdam!”  Chelsea, and being found changed his
covered me in eggs, cream, water and life... he is now a teacher’s assistant
goodness knows what! I was literally In the 1998 League Cup Final, when Paul rather than an ex-drug addict, ex-
battered!  Gascoigne made his debut for cancer patient, down-and-out. But, of
Middlesbrough, my wife chanted her course, I’m still that six year old really,
2008: Moscow, everything up to the loudest ever, joining in with: “He’s fat, and nothing can beat a Peter Bonetti
penalty shoot-out. Chelsea in the and he beats his wife...”  session.
Champions League Final. It really got to
me after all that time following them.  Then in 1999 when we played Man Utd
in the FA Cup at Old Trafford, and our

Supporters Club: Shed End
Seattle
Official Chelsea Central Pub:
Fado’s Irish Pub, 801 1st Ave.
Chelsea In America will be at Fado's
throughout the afternoon and
evening the day before the match.
The pre-match and post match meet
up will be at Fado's as well. See you
there!
Fado’s has offered to put on a great
breakfast for us on Sunday, the day
after the match. If you would like to
take advantage of this, we would
urge you to venture down there and
have a “fry up” or something else
from their menu. There is nothing
better the morning after a full match
day, then a little hair of the dog,
over a good fry up, surround by
fellow Blues.
Ticket Pickup: CIA will be at
Fado's throughout the day on the
17th and up to an hour prior to the
match on the 18th.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU BOUGHT
YOUR TICKETS THROUGH
CHELSEA IN AMERICA, THEY WILL
NOT BE AT THE STADIUM WILL
CALL, THEY WILL BE AT FADO'S!
SEATTLE SOUNDERS VS. CHELSEA
July 18th - Qwest Field
Events
Q&A Session
Location: Fado’s Irish Pub
Date: July 17th
Time: 8:00 pm
Join special guest Chelsea TV's
Neil Barnett along with Chelsea
Legend Steve Finnieston for a
night of insight into Chelsea Past,
Present, and Future. You won't
want to miss it.
Chelsea FC Practice
Session
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
When we have details on when or
if the practice session is we will let
those that have purchased match
tickets from CIA know. Please
check www.chelseainamerica.com
for information as it comes in!
PAGE 6
SEATTLE PREVIEW
from chelseafc.com
It is five years since we were last in the
Emerald City, when José Mourinho
embarked on his first pre-season tour
with the Blues as we ran out 4-2
winners over Celtic.
In front of over 30,000 fans, we
fielded two different teams in either
half, as goals from Alexei Smertin,
Eidur Gudjohnsen and two from
Mateja Kezman sealed victory.
Chelsea first toured Seattle in 1967,
when we defeated a local amateur side
5-0 at the Memorial Stadium. Then,
10 years later in 1977, we lost 2-0 to
the original North American Soccer
League Sounders at the Kingdome.
Once again we will play at Qwest Field
stadium, which will be expanded to
include the upper bowl for the fixture
as tickets are expected to sell-out,
with some 67,000 fans expected for
the game.
'This will be unlike any international
game ever played in the Pacific
Northwest,' said Sounders FC majority
owner Joe Roth, when the game was
announced.
'Chelsea is one of the top clubs in the
world, and they are playing the home
team, our Sounders FC, backed by our
loyal supporters. The atmosphere that
afternoon will be incredible.'

Supporters Club: Pacific Coast
Blues
Official Chelsea Central Pub:
Lucky Baldwin’s, 17 S. Raymond
Ave., Pasadena.
Ticket Pickup: CIA will be at
Lucky Baldwin's throughout the day
on the 20th and up to an hour prior
to the match on the 21st.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU BOUGHT
YOUR TICKETS THROUGH
CHELSEA IN AMERICA, THEY WILL
NOT BE AT THE STADIUM WILL
CALL, THEY WILL BE AT LUCKY
BALDWINS!
 
CHELSEA VS. INTER MILAN
July 21st - Rose Bowl
PASADENA PREVIEW
from chelseafc.com
After Seattle, we fly to Los Angeles and
Pasadena for our second pre-season
encounter - against Inter and José
Mourinho.
It will be the first time we have faced our
former manager since his departure in
September 2007, and it promises to be
an entertaining clash against the Italian
champions.
It will also be the first time we have
played at the stadium, but LA is no new
experience for the Chelsea squad, its
university campus used for pre-season
preparations in both 2006 and 2007,
with matches played at LA Galaxy's
Home Depot Center.
The first, on July 18, 2007 was a 1-0 win
over the Samsung Bluewings, Didier
Drogba bagging the only goal of the
game 11 minutes from time, with two
separate sides representing the Blues in
either half. At that point Mourinho was
still in charge, with another two months
to go before he left.
The return trip to the Center saw
another 1-0 win against a Galaxy side
that included David Beckham for the first
time.
Inter have crossed our path far less
frequently although we did face each
other as part of 2002's Birra Moretti pre-
season tournament in Bari, Italy.
Chelsea, then managed by Claudio
Ranieri, lost 3-0 to goals from Christian
Vieri and two from Mohamed Kallon.
Now they meet us as Serie A champions,
guided by our very own Special One.
Speaking to chelseafc.com in January,
Mourinho foresaw that he would one day
face us in competition.
PAGE 7
Events
Annual CIA International
Football Tournament
Location & Date TBA, stay tuned
to www.chelseainamerica.com for
info.
Join your fellow Chelsea
supporters on the pitch for an
afternoon of football fun that will
surely be a highlight of your
summer tour experience. So lace
up those boots, and we'll see you
on the field. If you are interested
in playing please log into the BB
and let us know. This event is
always a highlight of the summer
tour, lots of fun and prizes will be
awarded! Special thanks to Adidas
and the US Megastore for
sponsoring this event
 
Q&A Session
Location: Lucky Baldwins
Date: July 20th
Time: 8:00 pm
Join special guest Chelsea TV's
Neil Barnett along with Chelsea
Legends Tommy Langley and
Steve Finnieston for a night of
insight into Chelsea Past, Present,
and Future. You won't want to
miss it.
 
Fan Fest/Exhibition Match
Location: Rose Bowl
Date: July 21st
Time: Fan Fest TBA / Exhibition
Match KO 6:00 pm
Watch Hollywood United (with
Chelsea Legends Frank LeBouef
and Vinnie Jones) take on the
Brazil World Cup Old Boys Team.

Official Chelsea Central Pub:
Pratt Street Ale House, 206 W. Pratt
St.
Pratt Street will have on Friday
morning a special Breakfast Buffet
for Chelsea fans and the entire time
while we are in town the Brewmaster
has brewed up a little something he
is calling Chelsea Best!
 
Pre-Game Chelsea Pub: Pickles
Pub, 520 Washington Blvd.
Many thanks to the NY Blues for
their help in Baltimore!
Ticket Pickup - CIA will be at
Pratt Street Ale House throughout
the day on the 23rd. Tickets will also
be avaliable for pickup at Pickle's
Pub up to an hour prior to the match
on the 24th.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU BOUGHT
YOUR TICKETS THROUGH
CHELSEA IN AMERICA, THEY WILL
NOT BE AT THE STADIUM WILL
CALL, THEY WILL BE AT PRATT
STREET ALE HOUSE ON THE 23rd
AND PICKLE'S PUB ON THE 24th!
CHELSEA VS. AC MILAN
July 24th - M&T Bank Stadium
Events
Q&A Session
Location: Pratt Street Ale House
Date: July 23rd
Time: 9:00 pm
Join special guest Chelsea TV's
Neil Barnett along with Chelsea
Legends Tommy Langley and
Steve Finnieston for a night of
insight into Chelsea Past, Present,
and Future. You won't want to
miss it.
 
Camden Yards Tour
Location: Camden Yards
Date: July 24th
Time: 11:00 am
Tour the famous Camden Yards
ballpark with Blues fans. Email
eddie.batcho@gmail.com for more
information or to take part!
Chelsea FC Practice
Session
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
When we have details on when or
if the practice session is we will let
those that have purchased match
tickets from CIA know. Please
check www.chelseainamerica.com
for information as it comes in!
PAGE 8
BALTIMORE PREVIEW
from chelseafc.com
Stage three of our Stateside pre-season
tour will be in Baltimore, where AC Milan
are our familiar friendly opponents on
July 24.
New manager Carlo Ancelotti arrived
directly from the San Siro and begins
work with us today, while his assistant
Ray Wilkins played in the Rossoneri
midfield for three years in the 1980s.
In addition, we have played them four
times in warm-up games in recent years,
including in last year's Russian Railways
Cup, held in Moscow.
On that day Nicolas Anelka helped
himself to four goals in a 5-0 win,
though it must be said we were a lot
further along in our preparations than
our opponents, whose Serie A campaign
kicked off later than England's Premier
League.
In August 2004 we met in Philadelphia,
losing out 3-2 in front of nearly 40,000
supporters. Didier Drogba netted during
his first start in a Chelsea shirt while
Eidur Gudjohnsen also found the target.
Hernán Crespo (on loan from us) and
Andriy Shevchenko both played for Milan
on that occasion, Sheva scoring the
winner with a free-kick.
A year later we faced Milan twice,
beating them 1-0 in Foxborough,
Massachusetts thanks to an Arjen
Robben strike before we shared a 1-1
draw in the Giants' Stadium in New
Jersey, with Drogba again on the
scoresheet.
On each of those occasions Ancelotti
was in the opposition's technical area
but now he is on our side, and will be
looking for a result against his former
club.

Supporters Club: Texas Blues
Official Chelsea Central Pub:
The Storm Cellar at Arena Athletics,
100 E. Midway Dr., Euless.
Ticket Pickup: CIA will be at The
Storm Cellar at Arena Athletics on
the evening of the 24th, the day on
the 25th and up to an hour prior to
the match on the 26th.
IMPORTANT: IF YOU BOUGHT
YOUR TICKETS THROUGH
CHELSEA IN AMERICA, THEY WILL
NOT BE AT THE STADIUM WILL
CALL, THEY WILL BE AT THE
STORM CELLAR at ARENA
ATHLETICS!
DALLAS PREVIEW
from chelseafc.com
The final stop on our US tour takes us
south, from Baltimore on the east coast
down to Dallas, Texas.
It is in nearby Arlington that we play our
fourth game of the trip, against Mexican
side Club America, who we also faced in
pre-season two years ago.
Back in 2007, we opened our American
tour with a 2-1 win in Stanford,
California thanks to goals from debutant
Florent Malouda and John Terry, who
CHELSEA VS. CLUB AMERICA
July 26th - Cowboy Stadium
Events
Chelsea FC v. AC Milan
Watch Party
Location: The Storm Cellar at Arena
Athletics
Date: July 24th
Time: 7:00 pm
Come down and watch the Chelsea
take on AC Milan in Baltimore.
While you are there you can pick up
your tickets for the game on
Sunday.
Chelsea FC Practice Session
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
When we have details on when the
practice session is we will let those
that have purchased match tickets
from CIA know.
 
Chelsea Quiz Night
Location: The Storm Cellar at Arena
Athletics
Date: July 25th
Time: Following Practice Session,
about 8:00-9:00 pm
headed home the winner with seven
minutes remaining.
Manager Jose Mourinho opted to field a
different line-up in either half that day,
with other new signings Steve Sidwell
and Tal Ben-Haim playing their first
games. Youngster Jack Cork had the
same accolade.
This time we will be playing in the new
Cowboys Stadium, home to the NFL's
Dallas Cowboys.
We will be among the first sporting
teams to appear there on July 26, and
PAGE 9
Join a team of your fellow Blues as
you try and answer questions from
the Quiz Master. Play for your
chance to win fantastic prizes!
 
Q&A Session
Location: The Storm Cellar at Arena
Athletics
Date: July 25th
Time: Following the Chelsea Quiz
Join special guest Chelsea TV's Neil
Barnett along with Chelsea Legends
Tommy Langley and Steve
Finnieston for a night of insight
into Chelsea Past, Present, and
Future. You won't want to miss it.
Official Pre-Game Tailgate
Texas Style!
Location: The Storm Cellar at Arena
Athletics
Date: July 26th
Time: Noon
Join your fellow Blues for a Texas
style tailgate party! There will be
NO TICKETS on Match Day, only
reservations. Just visit the Chelsea
in America website to book your
spot!
the Cowboys do not even take their bow
at the new stadium until August.
Among their ranks, Club America have a
number of Mexican internationals,
including midfielder captain Pavel Pardo,
who will be 33 on the day of the game
and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.
The clash will bring to an end our
involvement in the World Football
Challenge. Hopefully it will see us raise
the first silverware under Ancelotti,
before returning home to England for a
friendly at Reading on August 1.

FINN MCCOOL'S FOOTBALL CLUB
A book by Chelsea supporter Stephen Rea
My book Finn McCool's Football Club -
The Birth, Death and Resurrection of a
Pub Soccer Team in the City of the Dead
opens on Saturday August 27 2005 with
a scene familiar to many of you: I am in
the pub watching Chelsea beat Spurs.
The pub is Finn McCool’s in the Mid-City
area of New Orleans. Within 48 hours it
was under water and our pub football
team’s coach was battling for his life on
the roof of a flooded house. One week
later we had no way of knowing if more
than half our squad was still alive.
I am originally from Belfast, Northern
Ireland and have been a Chelsea
supporter since the mid-70s. I saw my
first game at the Bridge in 1979
(Liverpool, 0-0), was at the FA Cup
Finals in 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2002,
was in Stockholm and Monaco in 1998
for the European victories and followed
the team across Europe to places like
Tromso and Riga.
Five years ago I moved to New Orleans
with my North Carolinian wife and soon I
was watching games with ex-pats and
locals at Finn’s, an Irish bar owned by
three fellow Northern Irish emigrants.
We formed a football team, trained for
eight months, and were about to start
playing competitively when Hurricane
Katrina slammed our city and washed
away our team, our pub and our lives.
Holed up in a tiny remote apartment
while evacuated to Houston for three
months I started writing my book. It tells
the story of what it is like to move to a
foreign land and set up home, the
difficulties you face when you have no
friends or relatives to rely on, and what
it is like to be a football fan in the
gridiron-stronghold of South Louisiana.
When I find Finn’s I make friends with a
bunch of eclectic characters like Frank
the Tank a pot-growing Dutchman, Benji
PAGE 10
Haswell an opinionated South African,
and Mancunian Dave the Rave the
world’s oldest teenager. In a light-
hearted way I look at why us “blow-ins”
seek each other out and describe what
life is like for an Ulsterman in America’s
most unusual, intoxicating and
occasionally frustrating city.
Halfway through the book the tone
changes when the most destructive
storm ever to hit the USA whirls ashore
and our lives are turned upside down.
Some of the team ride out the hurricane
- Frank the Tank for instance ends up
having to swim out of the city past three
bodies - and we are scattered around
the world. I follow what happens to us as JULY DATES TO
we filter back to our home and rebuild
our lives.
REMEMBER
The book has received great reviews in 7/5/1966 - Gianfranco Zola's birthday
the likes of FourFourTwo and 90
Minutes, and Chelsea in America 7/7/1954 - Mickey Thomas's birthday
members are my ideal demographic as
there are many Chelsea-related stories 7/9/1964 - Gianluca Vialli's birthday
in the book. I write about my hunt for a
place to watch games both in Louisiana 7/24/1961 - Kerry Dixon's birthday;
and Texas, and I follow Chelsea on their hope everyone in Baltimore will be
US tours in 2004, 2005 and 2006. And I celebrating!
make fun of Spurs.
7/24/1988 - John Harris, who made
So I am working with CIA and I hope to 364 appearances for the Blues from
be at some of the events at the games in 1945-56, died in Yorkshire
both California and Texas. Obviously I
would be delighted if you buy the book COMINGS AND GOINGS
from me either for yourselves or to send
to people back home, so they can We sign Tony Dorigo from Aston Villa
appreciate what it’s like to be a for 475,000 gbp in 1987
supporter of the world’s greatest team
in the Land of the Free. Marcel 'The Rock' Desailly signs for
Chelsea From AC Milan for a sum of
If you would like to read more then 4.5 million gbp in 1998
please check out my website
www.stephen-rea.com or email me at Petr Cech signs in July 2004 for 7
stephen@stephen-rea.com, and I hope million gbp
to see you in Pasadena and Dallas.
Kerry Dixon left for Southampton for
575,000 gbp in July 1992 just 9 goals
short of tying it up with Bobby
Tambling
 PAGE 11

TALES FROM SUMMER TOURS PAST

by Chris Axon
This story really begins back in October million miles away from her home. I was
1989.  so pleased for her, but was pretty sad
that I would not be there. Definite mixed
When I was twenty-four, I spent ten emotions. Where’s that unhappy face
months in North America ( four months emoticon? 
with my college mate Ian ), travelling all
over. The most memorable segment of However, the story took another twist in
this wonderful extended holiday was a April when I was to hear that my aunt
three week spell spent cycling from Julie, who had passed away earlier in
Richmond in Virginia to Sanford in 2004, had left me an amount of money
Florida. Towards the end of this cycle in her will. There is no doubt that within
ride in, early October 1989, we stayed a a nano-second of hearing this news, I
few days in St. Augustine on Florida’s called Roma to tell her to make plans for
coast. In two memorable days, Ian met Pittsburgh! The next day, on the way
Stacey and I met Roma, two local girls. into work, I phoned my boss to book a
Despite moving on from Florida – a real week’s holiday in July and by lunchtime,
worst month of my life, but my friends
wrench – both of us stayed in touch with I was booked onto a flight for Atlanta.  
rallied around me, just as Roma’s family
the girls and, after visiting the rest of
and friends rallied around her. In late
the continent, we both called in to see Over the next couple of months, I made
November, Roma underwent an
them before we headed back to plans for my week in America. I planned
operation and it was with an immense
England.  everything to the nth degree. I love the
overflowing of emotion that I heard from
planning of a foreign holiday – I poured
her mother Mary that, thank God, it had
Over the years, Roma and I stayed in over maps and city guides, day-
been a total success.  
contact. She became a mother to two dreaming like a fool. I got special tour
wonderful girls and moved up to the T-shirts printed for the seven of us who
I spent a week with Roma in January
mountains of North Carolina in around would be attending. I wrote letters to JT,
2004 and it was an amazing time – to
1995.  Eidur, Carlo and Frank ( my four
see her so well, with her daughters,
favourites ) to explain that I would be in
getting better. It put everything into
After a few years of declining contact, Pittsburgh, but also to mention the
proportion really – we sometimes make
Roma phoned me out of the blue. We incredible recovery of Roma during the
silly comments about how important
had both split up from our respective past six months. I wondered if it might
football, or any other distraction, is to
partners and so we agreed to meet up in be possible for us to meet the team for
us… but my view on life sobered up in
New York in the summer of 2001. We five minutes while in Pittsburgh. Alas, no
this period. I have to say my close mates
had a great time and, for a couple of replies were forthcoming. Meanwhile,
at Chelsea, though, were a great source
years, I wrestled with the idea of leaving Claudio Ranieri made way for Jose
of support. 
England, my friends, family and – yes – Mourinho at the helm and all was set.  
Chelsea, to attempt a new life in
In around March 2004, on the way home
America. In March 2002, Roma and her Season 2004-2005, heading into our
from work, I received a text from Daryl
two girls, Vanessa and Jenny, visited me centenary, began with a trip to Oxford
which briefly outlined plans of a Chelsea
in England and on the first evening, we United…a friendly, Mourinho’s first
tour to the US that summer. Initially, I
were in The Shed Upper watching the game in the July sun. I went with Frank,
was excited at the thought of going to
first Chelsea vs. Fulham game in sixteen Glenn and Gary. It was great to be back
see us play in America – who wouldn’t? I
years. They all loved the experience and on the treadmill for another season, but
guess I had already been to the US seven
– for me – looking back, it was a perfect it did feel rather surreal to think that the
times, but the thought of seeing Chelsea
evening. We toured London and then hit next time I would see the team would be
in the US was mind-blowing. Then I
a few places in the West Country. I think in a fortnight in Pittsburgh! 
reached home, did some sums and
that Roma said that her highlight was I touched down in a blisteringly hot
realised that I would be highly unlikely
definitely the evening spent at Chelsea!  th
to be able to afford even the most basic Atlanta on Saturday July 24 and drove
of trips.   my hired people-carrier the three hours
I visited them in North Carolina in the
up through Georgia until I reached
autumn of 2002 and then back in Florida
I heard that one of the games would be Roma’s home in Maggie Valley. The next
in 2003. They were great times. 
against – yes, you have guessed it… few days were spent chilling with some
Roma.   good friends.  
Then in November 2003 – another
phone call out of the blue which haunts
I phoned Roma that evening and she was On the Tuesday, we departed for
me to this day. Roma had been
so elated to hear that our Chelsea would Pittsburgh – as we headed north, “Blue Is
diagnosed with cancer and my world
caved in. I felt so helpless. This was the
be playing Roma, in Pittsburgh…not a Continued on Page 12

Tales from Summer
Tours Past, continued
from Page 11
The Colour” blared out on the CD player.
We were on our way! Accompanying
Roma and myself were Vanessa ( 13 ),
Jenny ( 9 ), Jenny’s friend Brittany ( 9 ),
her sister Mandy ( 15 ) and the girls’
football-mad friend Robbie ( 12 ). I am
used to trips of around two hundred
miles for football, but on this occasion,
the journey would be over five-hundred
miles. This was easily the longest single
drive in my life. I called it “The Ultimate
Away Trip.” What fun it all was. I
remember climbing up and over the
Appalachians, then into the backwoods
of West Virginia, before eventually
hitting Pittsburgh at around 9pm. We
had no hotel planned, but I knew that
the view of the downtown area at night
would be fantastic, so aimed straight for
it. Through a tunnel and then, like a
vision, the night lights of Pittsburgh
dazzled us as we were spewed out over
the river on one of the city’s many
bridges. It was a jaw-dropping moment.
Within seconds, we were speeding past
PNC Park, where the Pittsburgh Pirates
were in the middle of a game…the
floodlights lighting the sky…then, to our
left, Heinz Field, the very stadium where
I would see my very first Chelsea game
outside Europe. We were all a-buzz.
Great memories. Eventually we found a
cheap motel out in the western suburbs
and I fell asleep very tired but very
contented.  the practice session. Yet more photos of
On the Wednesday, we did a walking
tour of Pittsburgh and I was very
surprised by it. A very decent city. We
really enjoyed the funicular railway
which afforded great views of the area. I
had heard that Chelsea had advertised a
tour for fans for all three US games and
that the hotel in Pittsburgh was the
William Penn. I hoped that the team
would be there, too. During the
afternoon, we called by – only to be met
by a Londoner whose accent made the
girls laugh. He told us that Roma were
staying in the hotel, while Chelsea were
based at The Hilton.  game of football in the car park with a
“OK – cheers mate.”  minutes and I thought that this was
The girls giggled at me now.  the game, miles away from our homes,
That Londoner, it transpired a year or so
later, was Mark Coden.  the practice an hour earlier. It was manic
Off we set for The Hilton and we
bumped into a sports reporter from The
Times – Tom Dart – who confirmed that
Chelsea were in The Hilton. I spotted
Neil Barnett outside…my pulse was
racing. We were all dressed in our “North
Carolina Blues On Tour” T-Shirts and I
did wonder if we would be thrown out of
the foyer. I told the kids to behave
themselves. Within a few seconds of
being inside the hotel, none other than
John Terry, dressed in club trackies and
listening to his I-Pod, arrived.  
He posed for photos with us – what a
gentleman - and I spoke of Roma’s
recovery from cancer. He said he hadn’t
received the letter, but was very pleased
to hear that Roma was so well. We were
then ushered outside as the rest of the
team came down to catch a coach for
the girls – and Robbie – with Frank, Petr,
Didier, Mateja, Joe, Damian and Paolo. I
was buzzing like never before, feeding
off the excitement of seeing everyone so
thrilled. Everyone else got the players to
sign their shirts. Twenty minutes later,
we regrouped by our car, disbelieving of
what had just happened. The practice
session was a bit of a blur – we watched
in the hot evening sun as first Chelsea
and then Roma went through their
paces. Midway through, Roma changed
into a Roma T-Shirt, bless her!   game. I put on a bit of a show for my
Back at the motel, we had an impromptu
few Americans…we played for about 45
beautiful…strangers joined by a love for
drawn to Pittsburgh for football. The two
or three lads, from West Virginia, were at
PAGE 12
– no goals, just us keeping possession,
doing tricks, laughing, loving the instant
friendships. Brilliant. A perfect metaphor
for this game of ours. 
On the Thursday, we had a busy day. At
lunchtime, I bought tickets for the seven
of us to attend the Pittsburgh vs. Atlanta
baseball game. We made our way to the
top of the stands, under the roof and out
of the fierce sun. We were all supporting
the Braves and they came back from 2-1
down to win 3-2. We yelled our support
of Atlanta and wound up the locals. This
aided our vocal chords in preparation for
the Chelsea vs. Roma game that evening.
Between the two parts of our wonderful
sporting double-header, we visited the
William Penn Hotel again, just as the
Roma players were meeting up. I have a
priceless photo of Roma and Jenny with
Franceso Totti. The girls all fell in love
with their new French defender Phillipe
Mexes – pig tails and all. Roma nick-
named him “Baby Spice.” I had a photo
taken with ex-Chelsea defender
Christian Panucci and the girls got
around ten Roma players to sign their
shirts. 
We then walked back past PNC Park to
Heinz Field for the main event. As we
entered the stadium, I heard an English
voice and it was none other than ex-
England ‘keeper Ray Clemence. Another
photo! We had seats behind the north
goal and so I pinned my “VINCI PER NOI”
banner up at the front. I noted that the
main Chelsea section in the crowd was
along the side to our left, where we had
watched the practice session.  
Chelsea – in black and silver – took to
the field and I had to gulp…here I was,
watching my team in America. 
Only one word for it – “Awesome.” 
We won three-nil of course, but our new
flying Dutchman Arjen Robben was badly
injured by Olivier Dacourt soon into the
America friends, chatting away and
yelling like a fool…but felt distant from
the main body of Chelsea to my left.
However, I had a fantastic time in
Pittsburgh. One of the best Chelsea trips
ever. 
Wonderful. 
Continued on Page 2