football crazy

Stamford Bridge is one of the most historic stadiums in the city. Located a short walk from Fulham Broadway tube station, it was originally offered to Fulham FC in 1904, but they refused the high price of the rent. Adopting the name of neighbouring borough Kensington & Chelsea, Chelsea FC made Stamford Bridgetheir home. Rivals Fulham are still close at Craven Cottage, 10 minutes away.

While completely different from a live football match, a stadium tour can be a great way to learn more about a club. The tour offers visitors the chance to access parts of the stadium usually reserved for players and staff. Ever wondered where Frank Lampard hangs his suit during a game? Or where John Terry sits in the home dressing room? Fans will be in dreamland walking down the tunnel to the pitch, but if you’re a football fan in general there’s enough on show to make the triparound the 41,841-capacity stadium worthwhile.

It’s one thing watching players interviewed on TV, but when you’re actually in the press room, things appear a lot more real. A trip behind the scenes at a football club is a perspective-altering experience that makes you realise how football is as much a business as a spectacle. Famous faces and historic moments are madeand destroyed in the tunnels of a football club, just as they are on the pitch. Sadly, gracing the pitch is one thing you’ll have to leave to the professionals.

Tours at Chelsea FC run every half an hour and cost upwards of £15 for packages that include family discounts and museum entry. As it stands, you can have your picture taken with the premier league trophy; whether it’ll be there next winter remains to be seen, of course. www.chelseafc.com/tours