Revealed: Chelsea football bribes scandal

A BRIBES scandal more than a century ago has surfaced in a letter attempting to get the fledgling Chelsea FC into the Southern League.

Dated 4 April 1905, it is from Chelsea secretary William Lewis to West Ham United's secretary-manager Syd King.

Mr Lewis states he is authorised "to offer a subscription to your club of £30 in the event of Chelsea FC being elected to the 1st Division of the SL through the assistance of your vote". The missive is expected to fetch up to £15,000 at Graham Budd Auctions in Hammersmith Road on 12 November.

Mr Budd said Chelsea's bid to join the Southern League met with little support. But under chairman Claude Kirby, they bypassed it and got straight into the top tier the Football League. Their first match was on 4 September 1905, against Stockport County.