Regulars at Stamford Bridge may have noticed an increase in banners around the ground this season and been wondering where they've come from.
Meanwhile, fans watching from home, who have never had the opportunity to visit our west London ground may have seen the new banners appearing on their television screens.
In fact, it's a phenomenon most Blues will have noticed this campaign and the club's Official Website felt it was time to shed some light.
The banners belong to supporters' clubs, a system that gathers fellow fans in their local areas together, allowing them to support the Blues with like-minded people.
And it's pulled in groups of fans from all over the globe, including Dromore, Cyprus, Malta, Sweden, New York and even the United Arab Emirates and Bermuda
There are also banners from home-grown fans, with supporters' clubs originating from Swindon, Lincolnshire and Hastings all having banners on show at the Bridge.
'Opening a supporters club allows fans to meet like minded people in their area and socialise with them,' says David Mills, secretary of the Hastings Supporters' Club, which currently boasts around 170 members, 'it gives you the opportunity to socialise and travel to matches together.'
'We feel appreciated by the football club and in return get the benefits and supporters' clubs are definitely important to the fans these days.'
Striving to add to Stamford Bridge's atmosphere, this season the club has persuaded more supporters' clubs to create their own banners and offered to store them between each home game.
But fans in a supporters' club also bring an atmosphere with them to the Bridge from home, as many travel to games in one big group.
'Supporters' clubs give fans the opportunity to celebrate or commiserate together,' explains Mills.
'On a matchday we perform our pre-match rituals together in big groups, which definitely makes the day more enjoyable.'
The Hastings Supporters' Club's banner hangs proudly in the West Stand, and can be seen on the right side if you're looking from the dugouts.
It's a welcome addition which was created this season, although many die-hard fans may have already seen some representation from Hastings Blues in the Champions League.
'We have a large Hastings Blues flag that is often seen all over Europe but having a banner at Stamford Bridge was a good change for home games,' adds Mills.
'It lets other fans know there is a local supporters' club available if they wish to sign up for next year.'
With the 2009/10 campaign now drawing to a close, Chelsea is keen to see the creation of further official supporters' clubs and their banners before next season.
Initiation of supporters' clubs may take some work, as fans have to organise between themselves the set up of the club, which tier they may choose (they range from bronze to gold memberships) as well as arranging travel arrangements and tickets.
But it's not just about ordering tickets or going to games; many clubs arrange social events and trips. 'My advice to fans looking to set up a supporters' club is that it will take a lot of hard work and effort,' says Mills, 'especially if your club grows to a good size but it's worth it to have a club affiliated with Chelsea.'
The Blues will open affiliation for new supporters' clubs this May, but click here for more information if you can't wait that long.
'We're really hoping to see more banners around the stadium next season,' said Graham Smith, head of ticketing and supporters' liaison at Chelsea.
'And we want to see more supporters' clubs being established as well, it really makes a massive difference to fans across the world, it gives them somewhere to share their love of the club.'
Mills adds: 'Obviously not everyone can afford to attend matches as often as they'd like so to be involved with a club that arranges televised matchdays and more is definitely a benefit as they still feel as though they are involved with Chelsea.
'A group of our members just ran the local half marathon in aid of charity all kitted out in Hastings Blues Chelsea shirts, this got a lot of support around the circuit from fellow Chelsea fans.
'Various other functions include Christmas parties, quiz nights, trips to Star on a Stool and golf days.
'Also, on a matchday, we perform our pre-match rituals together in big groups, which definitely makes the day more enjoyable,' reports Mills.
Meanwhile, fans watching from home, who have never had the opportunity to visit our west London ground may have seen the new banners appearing on their television screens.
In fact, it's a phenomenon most Blues will have noticed this campaign and the club's Official Website felt it was time to shed some light.
The banners belong to supporters' clubs, a system that gathers fellow fans in their local areas together, allowing them to support the Blues with like-minded people.
And it's pulled in groups of fans from all over the globe, including Dromore, Cyprus, Malta, Sweden, New York and even the United Arab Emirates and Bermuda
There are also banners from home-grown fans, with supporters' clubs originating from Swindon, Lincolnshire and Hastings all having banners on show at the Bridge.
'Opening a supporters club allows fans to meet like minded people in their area and socialise with them,' says David Mills, secretary of the Hastings Supporters' Club, which currently boasts around 170 members, 'it gives you the opportunity to socialise and travel to matches together.'
'We feel appreciated by the football club and in return get the benefits and supporters' clubs are definitely important to the fans these days.'
Striving to add to Stamford Bridge's atmosphere, this season the club has persuaded more supporters' clubs to create their own banners and offered to store them between each home game.
But fans in a supporters' club also bring an atmosphere with them to the Bridge from home, as many travel to games in one big group.
'Supporters' clubs give fans the opportunity to celebrate or commiserate together,' explains Mills.
'On a matchday we perform our pre-match rituals together in big groups, which definitely makes the day more enjoyable.'
The Hastings Supporters' Club's banner hangs proudly in the West Stand, and can be seen on the right side if you're looking from the dugouts.
It's a welcome addition which was created this season, although many die-hard fans may have already seen some representation from Hastings Blues in the Champions League.
'We have a large Hastings Blues flag that is often seen all over Europe but having a banner at Stamford Bridge was a good change for home games,' adds Mills.
'It lets other fans know there is a local supporters' club available if they wish to sign up for next year.'
With the 2009/10 campaign now drawing to a close, Chelsea is keen to see the creation of further official supporters' clubs and their banners before next season.
Initiation of supporters' clubs may take some work, as fans have to organise between themselves the set up of the club, which tier they may choose (they range from bronze to gold memberships) as well as arranging travel arrangements and tickets.
But it's not just about ordering tickets or going to games; many clubs arrange social events and trips. 'My advice to fans looking to set up a supporters' club is that it will take a lot of hard work and effort,' says Mills, 'especially if your club grows to a good size but it's worth it to have a club affiliated with Chelsea.'
The Blues will open affiliation for new supporters' clubs this May, but click here for more information if you can't wait that long.
'We're really hoping to see more banners around the stadium next season,' said Graham Smith, head of ticketing and supporters' liaison at Chelsea.
'And we want to see more supporters' clubs being established as well, it really makes a massive difference to fans across the world, it gives them somewhere to share their love of the club.'
Mills adds: 'Obviously not everyone can afford to attend matches as often as they'd like so to be involved with a club that arranges televised matchdays and more is definitely a benefit as they still feel as though they are involved with Chelsea.
'A group of our members just ran the local half marathon in aid of charity all kitted out in Hastings Blues Chelsea shirts, this got a lot of support around the circuit from fellow Chelsea fans.
'Various other functions include Christmas parties, quiz nights, trips to Star on a Stool and golf days.
'Also, on a matchday, we perform our pre-match rituals together in big groups, which definitely makes the day more enjoyable,' reports Mills.
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