1905–06 Chelsea F.C. season

Formation and pre-season buildup

Chelsea Football Club were founded on 10 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.

September

Chelsea's first ever league campaign began on 2 September with a trip to Cheshire to face Lancashire Combination champions Stockport County at Edgeley Park. The match was a tight affair against a side with previous experience in the second tier, with County having an Ashton Schofield penalty saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Bill Foulke only for George Dodd to put the ball in from the rebound with half an hour to play to give the hosts 2 points. For their following match on 9 September, The Pensioners once again travelled up north, this time to Lancashire to play Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, gaining their first two points of the season in another close encounter through a late winner from player-manager Jacky Roberston in the 80th minute, who gained the distinction of being Chelsea's first ever league goalscorer. Furthermore, Foulke kept his first clean sheet of the season, registering the club's first ever in the league. Two days later, Chelsea played their first ever home league match against newly elected Hull City, the Blues romped to a 5-1 win, despite the Tigers taking an early lead through Peter Howe in the 5th minute and winning a penalty, which was taken by player-manager Ambrose Langley only for it to be saved by Foulke. David Copeland grabbed a brace with goals in the 15th and 40th minutes to give Chelsea a half-time lead, with Jimmy Windridge scoring Chelsea's first ever league hat-trick in the second half to seal the win.

On 16 September Chelsea made their way to Western Yorkshire where they drew 1-1 with Bradford City, who had only switched codes from rugby league two years prior, at Valley Parade after falling behind to a Wally Smith goal, with a late equaliser coming in the 85th minute from Bob McRoberts. On 23 September, Chelsea earned their third win of the league campaign against 2-time FA Cup winners, recent Second Division champions and former First Division side West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge, the 1-0 victory coming courtesy of another McRoberts goal in the 25th minute. Chelsea ended the month with another victory on 30 September, this time in Leicestershire at Filbert Street against Leicester Fosse. The winner coming via Jimmy Robertson in the 10th minute. Playing 6 games and winning 4 of them, Chelsea ended the month with 9 points and in 3rd place, showing very promising form and early signs that promotion in their début season was a very reasonable target.

October

On 7 October Chelsea began their first cup campaign with a 6-1 drubbing of the 1st Grenadier Guards' football team in an FA Cup First Qualifying Round match at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues' goals coming from Jimmy Robertson and Martin Moran, followed by braces from Francis O'Hara and Jimmy Windridge. Chelsea maintained their strong league form in Northern Lincolnshire with a convincing 4-1 defeat of Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on 14 October, Windridge opening the scoring in the 30th minute, followed by a Frank Pearson goal. McRoberts later adding a third and Pearson adding a fourth to complete a brace, with William Watson managing a consolation goal for the Imps in the 85th minute. However their seven match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end on 21 October with the visit of Chesterfield Town to Stamford Bridge, the winner coming from Joe Ball in the 55th minute for a 1-0 win over the Blues.

In the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, the Blues travelled to the south of the capital to play fellow Londoners Southern United of the Southern League Division Two in Nunhead, the Pensioners won 1-0 courtesy of a Tom McDermott goal. Furthermore, defender Bob Mackie kept a clean sheet whilst deputising for Foulke, registering the club's first ever in the FA Cup Two days later, Chelsea suffered their second consecutive league defeat at the hands of Burslem Port Vale at the Athletic Ground, the Valiants went two goals up via Price and Croxton in the 9th and 51st minutes respectively. The Blues later pulled a goal back through Pearson, however Carter re-established Burslem's two goal advantage before Moran halved their lead once more, however Chelsea could not find an equaliser. Chelsea ended October having won two cup games and progressing to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, however a dip in league form saw them to drop to 6th place, denting their promotion hopes.

November

On 4 November Chelsea bounced back from those two league defeats by trouncing Barnsley 6-0 at Stamford Bridge. Pearson opened the scoring in the 25th minute, with Copeland and Tom McDermott adding another two goals in quick succession in the 26th and 32nd minutes respectively, thus giving the Pensioners a 3-0 lead, with all three goals coming within a 7-minute period. Later on McRoberts scored a penalty to make it 4, Pearson got his second to make it 5 and McDermott also got a brace, adding a 6th in the 90th minute. On 11 November, the Blues travelled to Millfields Road to face newly elected Londoners Clapton Orient, once again Chelsea registered a resounding victory, beating Orient 3-0, Pearson opening the scoring in the 43rd minute, with Copeland adding a second in the 60th minute and Pearson completing his brace in the 75th minute to wrap up the scoring. Additionally, Foulke kept his 5th clean sheet of the league campaign, with Chelsea's newly assembled defence finding their feet.

Chelsea registered their third consecutive league win against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on 18 November, the narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a McRoberts goal in the 70th minute. However, due to a scheduling conflict, Chelsea crashed out of the FA Cup in the Third Qualifying Round after they were forced to play Southern League Division Two side Crystal Palace at Sydenham on the same day as Burnley in the league, with Jacky Robertson prioritising the league match, he fielded a mostly amateur reserve side in the cup, losing 7-1. Innerd opened the scoring for Palace, getting an early brace, followed by two goals from Watkins, whose second was a penalty, to make it 4. Needham and Harker then added a 5th and 6th respectively, with Watkins completing his hat-trick to make it 7. Chelsea did at least manage a late consolation goal through O'Hara. To add to the Pensioners' humiliation, to this day, this defeat is the largest win a non-league side has ever registered against league opposition in the FA Cup. Chelsea wrapped up the month with a 0-0 draw against newly elected Leeds City at Elland Road on 25 November. Despite Chelsea's unfortunate FA Cup exit, the Blues went undefeated in the league in November, winning 3 and drawing 1 without conceding a goal, taking them back up to 3rd place and back into contention for promotion.

December

Chelsea kept up their good form with a 3-0 defeat of Burton United at Stamford Bridge on 2 December, Jimmy Robertson getting the first goal in the 20th minute with McDermott and Moran adding a second and third respectively. On 9 December, Chelsea narrowly defeated Grimsby Town 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, with two late goals coming from Tom McDermott and Jack Kirwan in the 80th and 85th minutes respectively, with Bob McRoberts also having a penalty saved. On 16 December, Chelsea won once again, this time at The Northolme beating Gainsborough Trinity 2-0, Jimmy Robertson scoring the first goal in the 20th minute with Hall later netting an own goal. Foulke once again kept a clean sheet, his 10th of the season after only 16 league games.

On 23 December, the Pensioners began a hectic festive period with 3 games in 4 days, the first 2 against promotion rivals. They drew 0-0 with Bristol City at Stamford Bridge, and two days later on Christmas Day, drew with Manchester United at Bank Street by the same scoreline. On Boxing Day, Chelsea travelled to North Road to play Glossop, winning 4-2. The scorers that day were McRoberts, who opened the scoring after 15 minutes for the Blues, with Kirwan following up to make it 2-0. However, Cuffe halved Chelsea's lead 5 minutes before half-time. Kirwan scored his second, completing a brace in the 65th minute to make it 3-1 before Cameron reduced their lead to one goal once more. Jacky Robertson finally sealed the win with the match's 6th goal to make it 4-2. Those two goals by Glossop were the first time the Pensioners conceded in 9 matches. Chelsea ended 1905 on a high with a 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge against Stockport County on 30 December, despite falling behind to a Pass goal after a quarter of an hour. Jimmy Robertson scored two goals in succession to give Chelsea the lead before Waters equalised 3 minutes after half-time. Despite this setback Robertson scored once more to complete his hat-trick with Pearson adding a 4th to complete the scoring. Thus Chelsea ended a second successive month undefeated in the league, their run now stretching to 11 matches. With 30 points and in 3rd place, Chelsea maintained a serious promotion push.

January

The Pensioners began 1906 just as they ended 1905, keeping up their 12-game unbeaten run in the league with a 6-0 hammering of Blackpool on 6 January at Stamford Bridge. Kirwan and Jimmy Robertson made the score 2-0 after goals in the 20th and 30th minutes respectively, Pearson and Moran netted the next 2 goals to give Chelsea 4, Jacky Robertson got the 5th after 55 minutes and Pearson wrapped up the scoring, completing a brace in the 67th minute. On 20 January Chelsea won their 4th consecutive league game, beating Bradford City 4-2. The Blues were 2-0 up at half-time courtesy of goals from Jimmy Robertson and McDermott in the 35th and 40th minutes respectively. In the second half goals from Copeland a minute after the restart and from Kirwan in the 65th minute saw Chelsea go 4-0 up. The Citizens however mounted a late, desperate comeback attempt with McMillan scoring their first and Clarke adding a second 2 minutes from time.

Chelsea played their first away match of the year at The Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion being held 1-1, ending their 4-game winning streak. Pearson opened the scoring for the Blues and Manners later equalised for Albion. Chelsea ended January undefeated in the league for 3 consecutive months showing exceptional form. However Bristol City and Manchester United also kept up their very solid form, keeping Chelsea outside the automatic promotion places, but with 35 points and in 3rd place, Chelsea were well positioned to take the promotion race down to the wire.

February

Chelsea began the month with a 3-3 draw with Leicester Fosse at Stamford Bridge on 5 February. The Blues raced to a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes with goals by Windridge and Jimmy Robertson in the 2nd and 10th minutes respectively. Hodgkinson got one back for Leicester in the 25th minute before Pearson gave Chelsea a 3-1 half-time lead with a goal in the 42nd minute. In the second half, goals from Blessington and Hubbard saved a point for Leicester. On 10 February Chelsea's astonishing 15-match unbeaten run in the league was brought to a crashing halt at Anlaby Road as the Blues went 4-0 down to Hull City, all the more surprising as the Tigers were beaten 5-1 by Chelsea in September. The goalscorers for Hull were Rushton, who opened the scoring, followed by a brace from Joe Smith with the 4th scored by Gordon. Chelsea mounted a valiant comeback effort however, but it was to prove in vain as they could only manage three goals from Windridge, Jacky Robertson and Jimmy Robertson.

On 17 February Chelsea were back to winning ways for the visit of Lincoln City to Stamford Bridge, who were beaten 4-2. Pearson's goal in the 1rst minute clearly emphasised Chelsea's intent to put the previous week's result behind them, however Martin equalised for Lincoln. Despite this setback, McDermott and George Key gave Chelsea a secure lead before McRoberts tucked away a penalty with 10 minutes to go to make it 4. Machin grabbed a second for the Imps, however it was too late to mount a comeback. On 24 February Chelsea travelled to the Recreation Ground to defeat Chesterfield Town 2-0. Kirwan and Pearson gave the Blues the win with goals in the 4th and 20th minutes respectively. The Blues finished the month still in third place, with their sights still set firmly on the promotion places.

March

Chelsea won their 3rd match in a row with a 7-0 thrashing of Burslem Port Vale at Stamford Bridge on 3 March. Jimmy Robertson opened the scoring and McRoberts added the second from the penalty spot after half an hour. Pearson and Jacky Robertson added another 2 to give the Pensioners 4 goals. Moran scored the fifth and Kirwan completed the scoring with a brace, his second coming 40 minutes from time. Furthermore, Bill Foulke astonishingly managed to keep a clean sheet despite the Blues conceding 2 penalties, by saving both of them. Chelsea maintained their winning ways with a narrow 2-1 win against Barnsley at Oakwell on 10 March. Pearson opened the scoring for the Blues with a goal in the 22nd minute, however Wall later equalised for the Reds before Windridge scored the winner for Chelsea in the 58th minute. This win allowed the Pensioners to overtake Manchester United into second place, who had 2 matches in hand however, putting Chelsea in the promotion places for the first time in the season. On 17 March Chelsea faced Clapton Orient at Stamford Bridge, getting an impressive 6-1 win despite going behind to a Leigh goal after 10 minutes. Windridge opened the scoring for Chelsea followed by goals from Charles Donaghy, Pearson and John Robertson, who scored from 12 yards to make it 4. James Robertson added a fifth before Windridge scored his second to round off the scoring, to secure the Blues' fifth consecutive victory.

However, Chelsea's purple patch came to an abrupt end with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor on 24 March, with the Clarets securing the win through two first-half goals from Bell and R Smith in the 11th and 21st minutes respectively. Chelsea bounced back from that defeat with a 4-0 rout of Leeds City on 31 March at Stamford Bridge, with Pearson getting the opener after half an hour and McRoberts doubling the Blues' led through a penalty in the 40th minute, with McDermott later added a third and Windridge scoring the fourth with a quarter of an hour left to round off the scoring. Chelsea thus ended the month strongly with 4 wins, however their defeat at Burnley cost them dearly and they ended the month once again just outside the promotion places as Manchester United regained 2nd place after playing their outstanding fixtures. Chelsea could ill afford any more slip ups going into the final month of the season as the promotion race between the Blues, Bristol City and Manchester United began to reach its critical stage.

April

At the start of the month, Bristol City led the league with 55 points in 32 matches played, however Manchester United, who had a game in hand, and Chelsea were 6 and 7 points behind the Robins respectively. In 4th place were West Bromwich Albion on 46 points and 32 matches played, who also still had a very real chance of clinching second place. On 7 April Chelsea faced Burton United at Peel Croft and secured a very important 4-2 win. Windridge opened the scoring after 10 minutes and later added a second before Hunt halved the Pensioners' lead 3 minutes before half-time. James Robertson then added Chelsea's third to restore the two goal cushion before Burton once again halved their lead through a Bradshaw goal, however the victory was confirmed by Windridge's 3rd, completing his second hat-trick of the season. Elsewhere Bristol City drew with Burnley, thus giving Manchester United, who registered a victory over Clapton Orient, and Chelsea's title hopes a shot in the arm, West Bromwich Albion lost heavily to Hull City however, seriously denting their fragile promotion push. On 13 April Chelsea played promotion rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in a make or break match for both sides. The contest finished in a hard fought 1-1 draw attended by 67 000 spectators, with Peddie opening the scoring for United in the 67th minutes. McDermott equalised for Chelsea with 10 minutes to play, keeping the Pensioners' promotion hopes alive. However, Bristol City won their match against Gainsborough Trinity, taking advantage of the draw between their closest rivals to increase their lead at the top, whereas West Bromwich Albion suffered another heavy defeat, this time to Barnsley, all but ending their promotion hopes. The following day Chelsea travelled to Blundell Park to face Grimsby Town where they could only muster a disappointing 1-1 draw. The Mariners took the lead through Robinson 5 minutes before half-time, and Jacky Robertson rescued a point for Chelsea with a last-minute equaliser. Bristol City and Manchester United both won against Leeds City and Burnley respectively, with both sides edging away from Chelsea, who desperately needed to win their next match two days later. Furthermore Bristol City's victory meant that Chelsea could mathematically no longer win the league.

For a third match in a row Chelsea failed to win, drawing 0-0 at home with Glossop, whereas Manchester United defeated Gainsborough Trinity to establish a 3 point lead over the Blues, putting their promotion hopes in serious jeopardy as they still had a game in hand over them. In the meantime, Bristol City recorded their third consecutive win against Grimsby Town. On 21 April Chelsea once again performed poorly, losing 3-1 at home to Gainsborough Trinity, despite going into the lead through Mackie after 10 minutes. The Trinity goals coming via Smith 2 minutes before half-time and Morley with half an hour left, who later added a third. To add insult to injury McRobert had a penalty saved by Bagshaw. This loss coupled with Manchester United's victory over Leeds City, clinched the promotion spot for Manchester United. Bristol City also won their match against Burton United to win the Second Division title. Thus Chelsea, who began April with a strong chance of promotion completely faded away, failing to win four matches in a row, condemning themselves to a 3rd place finish, and another season in the second tier. In their final match of the season on 28 April, Chelsea travelled to Ashton Gate to face newly crowned champions Bristol City. In a close affair the champions came away with a 2-1 victory with goals from Gilligan in the 10th minutes and Burton in the 57th, with Chelsea grabbing a late goal 2 minutes from time through Pearson.

Final league table

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points

FA Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss

First team squad