Fans of Champions League victors take to the streets of west London to celebrate club's greatest moment
• Eyewitness: Chelsea fans celebrate
In the shadow of Stamford Bridge's Shed End, as the cheer went up and the camera phones came out, a big blue double-decker trundled around the corner to the deafening and distinctly London-accented cry of "Championes". On board, the players brandished two cups of sparkling silver – one of them a regular fixture on the team bus and the other making its debut appearance. And on the ground, the fans allowed themselves to savour a moment that, for many, had been decades in coming.
"I honestly never thought I would see Chelsea win the European cup, or any cup. I saw them lose to teams like Watford and Luton. We never thought we'd win anything," said Paul Sazio, a 50-year-old postman who had come to watch the victory parade in nearby Eel Brook Common with his wife, his two sons and his three-year-old granddaughter. "I never thought I'd see anything like this. But I wouldn't miss my experience of the old second division and all that for the world, because it makes you appreciate days like this."
Within 24 hours of their nail-biting victory over Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the Champions' League final, the Blues were back in town to celebrate an historic season which saw them not only become the first London club to clinch the European cup, but also win the FA Cup. As they massed just metres from the statue of legendary striker and so-called King of Stamford Bridge Peter Osgood, fans cheered for the players that had – in the moneyed and glamorous era of owner Roman Abramovich – brought home the trophies.
"They used to be a 'nearly' club, but in recent years they've started to achieve stuff they never did before," said Sean Carroll, 52, who said he had been coming to watch Chelsea play since he was a little boy and was "handed over the turnstiles" by his father and grandfather. "This is a good moment." James Thomas, a 31-year-old solicitor, said he was "absolutely elated". Of the victory on penalties over Bayern he added: "It's a massive release of energy because although we've won lots of trophies we've never won this one. So this means we've arrived. This one's special."
As they passed the jubilant crowds lining the streets of Fulham, players including Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and captain John Terry- who was suspended during Saturday night's final in Munich but celebrated in full kit along with his team mates afterwards- jumped up and down on top of the bus alongside Abramovich and interim manger Roberto di Matteo. Terry led the crowd in victory chants, while others prompted a brief rendition of 'We are the Champions'.
Speaking to the crowd through a microphone in Eel Brook Common, Frank Lampard thanked the club's fans. "We've been here a long time waiting to win this thing and it was the most amazing night of all our careers. We're just so pleased to come back here and celebrate with all our fans." He added: "You've been amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Special applause was reserved for Drogba, the 34-year-old striker whose 88th minute goal took Chelsea into extra time, whose penalty sealed the title- but whose future at the club is uncertain. Several fans carried placards begging the Ivorian to 'please stay'. They also gave vociferous backing to di Matteo, the Italian manager who only took up his role earlier this year following the failed "project" of Andre Villas-Boas. "I think he's a god," said Lyn Bennett, who had travelled back from Munich to continue post-match celebrations in west London.
In the middle of the street, amid the vendors selling everything from Chelsea hats to Arsenal toilet rolls ("ideal gifts"), Mohammad Kabiri, a 40-year-old Afghan was running short of superlatives. "Brilliant, mind-blowing, wonderful," he said, wrapped in a blue and white flag emblazoned with "Kings of England, Champions of Europe". He had been a fan for eight years, he said, since his arrival in Britain. Back home, he said, in Kabul, he had two shops both named 'Chelsea'. "They sell everything," he said, "apart from Chelsea shares!" Read More
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.
