30th May 2001 24th May 2001 I suppose I should reluctantly thank Dr Les for his irascible contributions, although I must say it goes against the grain, considering that he thinks everything I say is bollocks. He's probably right, come to think of it. Cheers, Les. 21st May 2001 It's been a season more akin to the Chelsea of old, playing football of sublime genius one week while reverting to retards the next (can I say that ? NO - Ed). I suppose it does us fans no harm to be reminded that our team is generally crap no matter who plays in it, and I personally find this rather endearing. I don't suppose Santa Bates or the Champagne Charlies in the Millennium Suites will like it much, but that just makes me even more happy. That will teach them to sack Luca Vialli, the cunts. The long and the short of it, Ladies and Gentlemen, is that no matter who the vain, autocratic publicity-seekers at the helm, Chelsea Football Club are the best club ever to have been invented, and we must count ourselves incredibly fortunate that we were born with blue spoons in our mouths. I look forward immensely to next season, and confidently predict that we will sweep all before us, winning all the competitions we enter with style and panache, just as I do every year. Thanks for your support over the season (unless you're Dr Les, that is) and please keep dropping by during the close season for my thoughts on the daily outrages that will no doubt be taking place in the transfer market. While on that subject I note with horror that Gus Poyet has handed in a transfer request. Surely there is some mistake. Let's hope old Claudio has the nous to try to persuade him to stay, as Gus is without doubt the most exciting and charismatic attacking midfielder in the Premiership. Oh, I forgot: Chelsea have signed another unknown French defender, William Gallas, for over £6 million. If his gob is only slightly smaller than Leboeuf's he will be an asset to the club. Lastly, a small tribute to the millions of fans of Manchester United, whose team are head and shoulders above anything else this country has to offer. I raise my hat to them. "Ah, Priesty !", you are probably saying to yourselves, "You are taking the piss once again". Far from it: I am deadly serious. Let's give credit where it's due. These marvellous fans are showing great character to be still hanging in there after their team has lost the last three games of the season. I sympathise. No, don't laugh, it's hard enough for them as it is... 11th May 2001 It's been a disappointing season, but as Dr Les so rudely pointed out when I had the audacity to moan about it, we have become spoilt over the past five years. We had fuck all for twenty-seven years and we still turned up. It doesn't seem to matter who happens to be playing for the club, supporting Chelsea has always been the same - a dizzying, manic roller-coaster ride of troughs and peaks. I wouldn't have it any other way; at least it's not boring or predictable. Who'd be a Man U fan ? 9th May 2001
What A Tit
JFH At The Double We All Hate... 8th May 2001 Dirty Northern Bastard All they're interested in is getting Bowyer reinstated so they have a chance of winning against Valencia, not whether the little fucker is actually guilty. Understandable ? Maybe, if we weren't dealing with people who like to portray themselves as men of honour. It's sickening, but not surprising, to see how little it takes for them to forget their principles. I hope Leeds get stuffed in the semi, because that's what they deserve. April rants
© 1996-2002
Priesty's Chelsea FC Refuge.
Dr Les On Pies, Cider and Nightclubbing
Uh oh - more vitriol from the pen of Dr Les. He seems to have taken exception to me worrying about Man City, and he's furious about my publicising the King Pie competition. I stand, as usual, corrected.
The Voice Of The East Stand Speaks
A big thank-you to Klaus for his support of my site this season. He's turned in some excellent match reports in his inimitable, stream-of-unconsciousness style, and has kept me in fits with a constant barrage of emails. I've just received a thought-provoking letter from him outlining his view of the events of the past season and what will happen over the close season. I think you will find that he is pretty near the mark.
The End Is Nigh
The season ends with Chelsea in sixth place, courtesy of a 2-1 win over Manchester City. JFH obliges once again with a goal and wins the Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals (23) in the Premiership. Jimmy has proved to be a superb buy for Chelsea, and let's hope the twats who run the place realise that he's crucial to the team next year and don't try to flog him to the highest bidder. Incidentally, the last Chelsea player to win the Golden Boot was my boyhood hero (OK, late twenties hero) the legendary Kerry "The Wig" Dixon, and he did it on twelve quid a week and all the gambling debts he could accrue..
City Slickers ?
Priesty is biting his fingernails over the one point needed to gain access to European competition next season. Why ? I will tell you: because we are playing a team at the bottom of the division. As I remarked to an acquaintance on an internet forum earlier today, I would be a lot happier if we were playing Man U or Rottenham, as that would be three points guaranteed...
STOP PRESS: Dr Les Agrees With Priesty Shocker
Earth-shattering is the only way I can describe my feelings when I received Dr Les's latest diatribe. For the first time in five years he agrees with something I've written. I must be losing my grip 
I completely forgot to mention the best news of the week, namely that Gianfranco Zola is staying for another season. For those who don't follow football, this is akin to kicking off with a twenty point head start. I'm well pleased that Franco, without doubt the most exciting player ever to grace the turf at Stamford Bridge, is staying put, and I'm sure all Chelsea fans will echo my sentiments - even grumpy old Les. Thanks are also due to his wife and kids, who persuaded him to stick around for one more season (and I mean Zola's missus, not Les's, of course). Bravo !
Chelsea get a "Desmond" (two-two) at Anfield. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink again shows the way with another superb brace. His hitrate is phenomenal, and we need him more now than ever. Just one point is needed against Manchester City to ensure Uefa Cup football next season, for at least one match anyway. The Mighty Blues are the best team on the planet. They just don't know it yet...
I was genuinely sorry to see Leeds crash out of the Champions League against Valencia last night. No, really. Stop that sniggering...
JFH Gets A Score
Chelsea breeze past Everton 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, meaning that a win at Liverpoo or Man City will ensure Uefa Cup football next season. JFH scores both goals, bringing his league tally to 20, something not seen at Stamford Bridge since the days of Kerry The Wig. Let's hope that Jimmy's natural desire to move on once a season in search of more money doesn't prevail this time - we need him. See Klaus's magnificent match report.
Lee Bowyer has been banned for three matches by Uefa for stamping on an opponent, meaning that he'll miss tonight's CL semi-final and obviously the final in the unlikely event that Leeds should qualify. Bowyer has protested his innocence, in spite of the incontrovertible evidence against him. Sickening enough, but what turns my stomach is the way Peter Ridsdale and David O'Leary are showing their true colours as arseholes of the highest order by appealing against the supension.
