A flavour of this early spring event, titled In Full Bloom, can be sampled by watching the highlights video below. It was an opportunity for 1,000 regulars in Club Chelsea’s hospitality areas to mingle in the Great Hall and hear words on a variety of subjects from Chelsea Football Club directors, executives and some very famous footballers, as well as to help with the Foundation’s important work in our community.

On the night, the venue recreated the local King’s Road and Fulham Road with the shop fronts all a nod to Chelsea history. Businesses featuring the names Mears, Parker, the Rising Sun and more were all familiar to those in the know. The shops also gave access to a history quiz.

Table football was one popular attraction, and there were video arcade games and ball-skill challenges that were enjoyed not only by the younger guests. Our trophy collection as ever drew many towards it for a photo opportunity with the silverware.

With the evening a chance to give back to our wider community, just under £45,000 was raised for the Chelsea Foundation, more than three times the amount when a similar event was staged two years ago.

A silent auction, with the big prizes including the chance to field a side against a Chelsea legends team led by John Terry, plus a raffle, contributed significantly to the money which will make a real difference to Chelsea Foundation’s projects.

When Reece James took to the stage, the club captain was welcomed by a vociferous ‘he’s one of our own’ song before going on to emphasise that having been part of our Champions League triumph in 2021, he is very hungry to finish this season strongly and get back into the competition ‘where the club belongs’ next year.

Representing Chelsea Women were recent world-record signing Naomi Girma and her fellow USA international Mia Fishel. The Champions League, the trophy missing from their team’s mighty collection, was also a topic for conversation for them and they declared they believe the current team has the quality to win it, with world-class players in every position.

The desire to secure that piece of silverware was emphasised by Chelsea Women’s new CEO Aki Mandhar, who said joining the club feels like being at the centre of the women’s football universe.

She was joined on stage by another recent addition to Chelsea’s executive team – Todd Kline who is president of commercial. He spoke about the Premier League being the number one league in the number one sport in the world, and how taking experiences from other teams, leagues, countries and venues can only benefit the experience for Chelsea fans.

Two lifelong Blues supporters and current board members, Lord Daniel Finkelstein OBE and Barbara Charone, are also trustees of Chelsea Foundation and on a night dedicated to that work, explained the focusing of the Foundation on the past players, the local community and the fan community – to bring the family together and help retain the feeling of a club.

Laura Cordingley, CEO of the Chelsea Foundation, was able outline to those in the Great Hall what lies ahead in 2025 – projects now boosted by this colourful night. Many thanks are due to the generosity of those who were there.

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