(jAe/&ea f.c.
The arrival of former
Tottenham and England
star Glenn Hoddle as
player-manager of
Chelsea signifies the
beginning of an exciting
new era for the west
London club.
Hopes are high that
Hoddle will bring the
free-flowing, attractive
football he demonstrated
here and later cultivated
at Swindon Town to
Stamford Bridge and lift
Chelsea out of the mid-
already given glimpses
of their potential and
can only improve under
Hoddle's expert
tutelage.
Republic of Ireland
midfielder Andy
Townsend is one of the
most influential ofthe
more established
players. Dennis Wise
will be hoping to
recreate the form which
won him five England
caps.
Hoddle should get the
best out of these more
(Action Images)
experienced players,
many of whom will remember him as a
playing opponent and not just as a
manager.
The experience gained from winning
53 caps for England has allowed
Glenn to drop back into the sweeper's
role with unqualified success.
His promptings from behind the
defence should provide ample
inspiration for his Chelsea team-mates
as he will be registered as a player.
Hoddle has appointed the former
Arsenal and England midfielder
Graham Rix as youth coach and former
Spurs manager Peter Shreeves as his
assistant and that should ensure that
his footballing
(Action Images)
table and into the big
time.
Glenn does not fail to inspire
confidence. "The potential has always
been here but it's up to me to bring it
out and my methods will be along the
same lines as those I used at Swindon -
soccer in a passing
manner," he said.
Chelsea, founded in 1905, are out to
recapture the glory days and
remind the loyal fans that their FA Cup
triumph in 1970 is not the end of their
trophy-winning days.
The Blues went on from that win to lift
the European Cup Winners' Cup
by beating Real Madrid 2-1 in a replay.
Back at home Chelsea have rarely
threatened to repeat those glories but
did manage to win the Full Members'
Cup in 1986 with a remarkable 5-4 win
over Manchester City and the ZDS Cup
in 1990 when they beat
Middlesbrough.
The 1987-88 season saw Chelsea
relegated from the First Division only
for them to bounce straight back
winning the Second Division
Championship the following season.
Back in the top flight they have neither
struggled or really excelled
but the aim of the Chelsea side of the
90s is to follow the team of 1954-55
which won the the club their only
League Championship.
Off the field Chelsea sorted out their
problems with Stamford Bridge
under threat from property developers.
A 'Save the Bridge' campaign was
launched to raise money as the club
fought to hold on to their home.
New manager Glenn Hoddle arrives at Stamford Bridge.
In December, 1992, Chelsea's future
was secured when chairman Ken
Bates thrashed out a deal which will
mean the club can buy the
ground.
Last season promised much with the
Blues in fifth place in the Premier
League at Christmas. But a dreadful run
of 12 matches without a win
scuppered Chelsea's outside
Championship hopes.
But Hoddle, 35, is fortunate enough to
have inherited a squad of fine
young players, bristling with untapped
talent.
Players like Frank Sinclair, Eddie
Newton and Graham Stuart have
Dave Beasant organises his defence.
