Away Days: Chelsea 1983

A trip to the good old capital, you can’t beat it. Of my 10 visits to Stamford Bridge to watch the Palace one game stands out in the old memory bank. Saturday 19 November 1983.

I was a fresh faced 16 year old having just left school that summer but it was time to man up as we headed to Chelsea. Chelsea had a reputation for a bit of trouble when it suited so it was a case of no colours, yellow Pringle jumper on to try and fit in with the boys from the Bridge. I travelled up to the Bridge with my best mate Roy Bohan and his mate whose name escapes me. Being only 16 it was not the normal routine of today as drink was only just starting to come onto the agenda. We travelled into London on the train from Elmers End and tube to arrive in good time. Autograph hunting was the name of the game to pass the hours up to kick off and many were collected, both Palace and Chelsea.

Being the good old 1980's there was no need to buy tickets in advance but just turn up on the day, queue and in you go. This is where we made our first mistake of the day. We see a queue, join it like all good Brits do and hey presto we end up in The Shed!!!

"Chelsea had household names throughout their team at the time - Pat Nevin, Kerry Dixon, David Speedie, John Hollins et al."

I can vividly remember Roy’s mate nearly dropped us in it before the game had even started. He knew Billy Gilbert and Vince Hilaire very we'll and without thinking where he was mentioned that Vince came around his house last night and had a problem with his toe!! We got a glared look from a few of the locals but only being nippers they did not take it further.

The game kicked off with Roger Milford in charge for this London derby. Palace were in their customary bottom half of the table as we entered the game. A corner to Palace and from which I was to witness one of the best Palace goals I have ever seen. The corner was crossed to the edge of the right hand side of the penalty area only for Gary Locke to catch on the volley the sweetest of strikes and the ball landed in the top left hand corner. God we were ahead away from home. It did not happen much! Thankfully the locals had forgotten Vince’s toe problem as we tried to look as gutted we could whilst inside we were going mad with delight.

"The locals were not happy as they were used to turning teams over at home."

Then a great cross from the right and our very own goal machine headed the second at the far post - Tony Evans. I think I am right in saying that ALL the goals Tony ever scored for Palace were away from home. The locals were not happy as they were used to turning teams over at home. I can remember one of them showing his frustration by lobbing his Cornish pasty only for it to hit someone nearer the front!!

It was all Palace and we very nearly scored the third which would have settled the game for sure. Gary Locke managed to get to the by line and put in a fine cross right across the goal mouth. All that was needed was a touch but from the clearance Chelsea broke away and scored their first goal. From memory I think it was John Hollins who scored just before half time.

"The second half started and it was all Chelsea."

The second half started and it was all Chelsea. Palace tried to park the bus but failed as following a scramble in the Palace goalmouth David Speedie stabbed home their equaliser. We managed to hold on to pick up a very good away point with Billy Gilbert superb in a sweeper role. 19,060 was the crowd on the day on an eventful afternoon in West London.

More of the same please Palace.

Thanks to Selhurst Hoover for his memories of this day!