From Fatty Foulke to Russian Roman

Newspapers called him "one of the curiosities of football." He said: "I don't mind what they call me as long as it doesn't interfere with lunch!"

With Foulke in commanding form, keeping nine successive clean sheets at one stage, Chelsea finished third in their first season and won promotion to Division One in their second.

But they fluctuated between the top two divisions for most of the next half century until the arrival of the former England and Arsenal centre forward Ted Drake as manager in

He revolutionised the club, banishing the "Chelsea pensioner" image and its music hall association.

He wanted to be taken seriously and in 1955 his Chelsea team won the League Championship for the first 1952. and, so far, only time. It was a fitting way to celebrate their first 50 years and, with Chelsea currently Premiership leaders, is perhaps a happy omen. Drake's team included 21-goal Bentley, top scorer for eight consecutive seasons, and Ron Greenwood, who was the first of three Chelsea players to later become England coaches. The others were Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle.

Drake was responsible for modernising the club's scouting system and youth scheme but the ebullient Scot, Tommy Docherty, was the chief beneficiary during his management reign from 1962-67. With him in charge, Chelsea won the old League Cup (1965) and reached the FA Cup Final (1967).

Hollins, who graduated through the youth scheme, played in both teams. "We were the club every bright youngster wanted to join because we gave youth a chance," he recalled. "We had a five-year development programme, but most good youngsters were in the first team within three years."

Hollins was a fixture in the side for 12 seasons and played in the teams that won the FA Cup in 1970 against Leeds in a replay and the Cup Winners' Cup against Real Madrid in another replay the following year.

The quiet, scholarly Sexton, an outstanding coach, was the tactical brain behind both victories.

Now retired, Sexton recalled: "We had a talented team with two good wingers - Peter Houseman and Charlie Cooke. The present Chelsea remind me of my side. They're also very strong defensively today and I particularly like Frank Lampard. I had him in the England Under-21 side."

Sadly, Sexton's reign ended in acrimony in 1974 and the break-up of his fine team.

HIS leaving coincided with the sad realisation that the proposed redevelopment of Stamford Bridge had produced debts of £3.4million. Liquidation was just round the corner.

The club avoided bankruptcy but the chairman Brian Mears quit. His grandfather JT Mears and his great uncle Gus had been founders and his father Joe had also been chairman until his death in 1966. In all, seven members of the Mears family served on the Chelsea board between 1905-83.

"Brian was more than simply committed," said World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst, who Mears appointed as manager in 1979. "For him the club was a family heirloom."

But that was no longer the case. Enter Ken Bates. He bought Chelsea, debts and all, for £1 in 1982. Love him or hate him, he transformed a club with weekly losses of £12,000 into a viable proposition within five years. He threatened to install electric fences as an antihooligan measure, hired and fired a succession of coaches but, most importantly, ensured that Chelsea remained at the Bridge.

With the help of a succession of high-profile managers - Hoddle, Gullit, Vialli - he took Chelsea into the modern era in the late nineties. They rose from mid-table mediocrity to become one of Europe's most respected clubs with players such as Vialli, Gianfranco Zola, Marcel Desailly and Roberto Di Matteo. During this time captain Dennis Wise picked up five major trophies.

Then along came Abramovich to buy out Bates, invest millions, hire Jose Mourinho and win everything. Well, that's the plan.

What would "Fatty" Foulke have made of it all on £208 a year?