In 1953, Chelsea re-launched their official club badge and for the first time featured red. By 1959, red had made its way into the kit as well, followed a year later by the shirt badge, and reappeared in various forms for decades to follow. The last time red featured on a Chelsea strip was the 1993/94 season when Chelsea had a great FA Cup run.

Chelsea and Pensioners go together like Super and Frank Lampard. From the earliest days of the club the red-coated war veterans were associated with the team, providing the club’s nickname between 1905 and 1952. Blues fans wore Chelsea Pensioner lapel badges as far back as the 1930s. To this day the club provide the Pensioners with free tickets to games.

1905. Chelsea’s first ever strip. No red on show here at all. Even the socks were black with dark blue stripes. The shirts were light ‘Eton’ blue and the shorts white. Goalies wore the same strip as outfield players back then.

Blue may be the colour. But red also features in the newest of the Chelsea badges. It’s a nod to the distinctive scarlet coats worn by the Chelsea Pensioners, retired British Army personnel from Royal Hospital, Chelsea, who gave the club its first nickname.

The rampant Chelsea lion stands firm in the centre of the badge. This symbol dates back to the coat of arms of the Earl of Cadogan, used since the early 18th century.

The Chelsea lion holds a crozier (a Bishop’s staff) in its outstretched paws. The crozier was that of the Abbot of Westminster, whose jurisdiction extended to Chelsea.

Two more symbols feature inside the badge’s outer blue rim. Tudor Rose was also the name given to Chelsea’s first youth team in the late 1940s. The leather football signifies the beautiful game.

First club to wear shirt numbers. And on their legendary tour of South America in 1929 this earned the team the nickname ‘Los Numerados’ or ‘The Numbered Ones’.

Flying high in 1957. Chelsea were the first club to fly back from a domestic game. They had just played Newcastle United at St James’ Park and needed to get back to the Bridge for a home game.

Chelsea soundly beat Luxembourg club side, Jeunesse Hautcharage, 8-0 away, 13-0 at home in the 1971/2 UEFA Cup-Winners’ Cup to become the first European side to record an aggregate 21-0 win. Only Feyenoord in 1972/3 have matched this feat in European competition since.

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