Chelsea FC victory parade possible

Thursday April 29, 2010

Preliminary meetings have taken place between Chelsea Football Club, Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council and the emergency services to prepare a victory parade if the blues clinch the Premier League title.

Following a cracking 7-0 thumping of Stoke City last weekend the blues have a slender one point advantage over title rivals Manchester United with just two games to go.

If Carlo Ancelotti’s team beat Liverpool away at Anfield this weekend and Wigan at Stamford Bridge the following Sunday an open topped bus victory parade is likely to roll through the streets of Chelsea and Fulham on the day after the FA Cup Final on May 16.

The blues clash with the Premier League’s bottom club Portsmouth at Wembley on May 15 and are hoping to be celebrating a Premier League and FA Cup double on the streets of Fulham and Chelsea the day after.

A H&F Council spokesman said, “Although Chelsea have not won the Premier League, clearly the council needs to plan for possible events on the horizon so we can plan effectively and minimise disruption to local residents.

“The club, council and emergency services are in discussions regarding the possibility of a parade as large events like this take meticulous planning to ensure they are safe and enjoyable for everyone.

“The football club will be paying all the costs of any potential parade so it will not cost taxpayers a penny."

If a parade does go ahead it will be a rolling procession with the team remaining on the bus at all times. The blues would start the parade at Stamford Bridge and follow the same route as 2006 when at least 70,000 excited fans lined the streets.

Residents in the affected area will be sent more information about the parade including a full list of road closures, a map of the route and locations of extra facilities like toilets and refreshments.

Residents letter» (pdf)