Remembering Matthew Harding

[the101er]

Matthew Harding was probably the man who made me a Chelse fan, as I came in with the wave of signings in the mid-nineties: Zola, Gullit, Poyet, et. al. Sadly, I know virtually nothing of the man who has been described elsewhere as a Chelsea legend.

Any help from some old timers? I get the impression that Harding was a fan of the club, while Bates was the businessman.

[Clan]

.....but highly accurate.

http://www.clearlight.com/~wil/csr/mh.htm

[fernb8]

I think too many of us easily forget the impact of Harding on the club. We have all smiled a little easier with the investment of Romans rubles, but Harding was truely a diamond in the rough.

A Chairman taking the tube to matches, having a few pints with the lads before the match, wearing the team jersey instead of a mink coat, signing the song, shedding the tears...

We were very fortunate to have Matthew Harding for the short time he was with us, I hope we can continue to honour him as he would want, a true Chelsea fan.

And for fecks sake, put his name back on the stand that he built Batesy.

[Clan]

Originally posted by fernb8


And for fecks sake, put his name back on the stand that he built Batesy.

Deplorable litle bit of one up manship there eh Fern?

[GPK]

huh?

http://www.chelseafc.com/StatPage.asp?id=ground_layout_-_north_stand

[Clan]

Originally posted by GPK
huh?

http://www.chelseafc.com/StatPage.asp?id=ground_layout_-_north_stand

Mr Bates decided that the actual letters spelling out his name were to be removed.

[fernb8]

I believe the words "Matthew Harding Stand" were emblazoned between the two tiers or on the top of the stand. I dont remember what season it was, but when the season began, the letters were mysteriously missing.