Kelvin Barker was just five years old when he attended his first Chelsea match, a 1-0 win over Newcastle United in December 1970. The seeds of passion were quickly sown, and a love affair began which lasts to this very day. Like all lengthy relationships it has had its ups and downs; Kelvin has thrown many a tantrum (usually at around 4.45pm on a Saturday evening) when his beloved has failed to perform, and has often threatened divorce only to back down within days of his petulant outburst. That the lawyers have never been called in is because the bond is simply too strong. Kelvin stood by his wayward companion when she really plumbed the depths and, on one occasion, had only another 6,008 admirers. Nowadays, of course, the outbursts are a rare occurrence. The two have matured into a happy union and the ‘emotional’ side of their relationship is more varied and fulfilling than ever – Kelvin now regularly withdraws from the scene with a satisfied smile after 90 minutes of pleasure, although the rendezvous arrangements are more frequently determined by the demands of TV.

 During the 1980s, Kelvin was a regular on the ‘ Chelsea Specials’ – the chartered trains which carried the Blues’ supporters across the country en-masse to far-flung places such as Carlisle and Plymouth. On his travels he witnessed many interesting, amusing and downright frightening sights. He has seen a fellow supporter struck by an oncoming train on the way back from Brighton, innocent fans attacked by local police officers as they arrived in Sunderland, and had his head used as a trampoline in Luton. He has been verbally abused by a second-rate footballer who went on to become a third-rate actor, seen a Chelsea reserve attack the father of an opposing player, and had the dubious pleasure of standing next to the King of the Dribble, George Best, at the urinals in Fulham’s Craven Cottage stadium. Worst of all, he saw Alan Mayes in a Chelsea shirt.

 Celery! – Representing Chelsea in the 1980s is Kelvin’s story of supporting Chelsea during the most turbulent of decades, both on and off the pitch…

About the book

In addition to his own memories of watching his beloved Chelsea from the terraces, Kelvin has gathered together the thoughts and recollections of the players he considers form the Stamford Bridge club’s ‘Team of the Eighties’. Celery! – Representing Chelsea in the 1980s is divided into two parts. In part one, each season from 1979/80 through to 1988/89 is reviewed through the eyes of a passionate supporter, as Kelvin recalls the trials and tribulations – and there were many – of supporting the Blues during a topsy-turvy decade. Part two is handed over to the star performers, as the aforementioned ‘Team of the Eighties’ spill the beans on their experiences in the royal blue of Chelsea. The popular John Neal, manager at the Bridge from 1981 to 1985, also gives his thoughts on a dramatic spell in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat which saw the club rise magnificently from near-oblivion.

 From Kelvin’s own amusing tales of hugging skipper Colin Pates on the hallowed Stamford Bridge turf and serenading Bob Geldof in the King’s Road, through to the incredible behind-the-scenes stories as told by the players themselves – the mysterious case of Mickey Thomas’ disappearing gold chain, how a kick in the head made Joey Jones a fans’ favourite, the role physio Norman Medhurst’s hair played in David Speedie’s departure from the club, and many more – this book lays bare the facts of representing Chelsea in the 1980s, as recalled by those who were there.

 “A little bit of nostalgia mixed in with some extraordinarily accurate history… it provides an authoritative education on an important time for the club”.

Pat Nevin – March 2006