Welcome to the Chelsea Townhall, a new series where we invite journalists, players and fans together to engage in that rarest of things in modern football - a civilised debate! Hosted by The Blueprint's Ceri Levy, we welcome on Nizaar Kinsella from the Evening Standard to talk through recent events surrounding Chelsea. He is also joined by Mark Meehan from the Chelsea Supporters' Trust, who gives an in-depth perspective on the recent dialogue between CST, the Chelsea ownership and Fan Advisory Board. This episode was recorded live on Twitter/X Spaces and also features a panel from the Chelsea Sideline Club, including Garry Hayes, Louis Beneventi, Dan Childs and Cam Roda. We also opened the Townhall panel to listeners in the second half of the show, who joined in the conversation to give their views on the current situation surrounding Chelsea, from the pitch to the boardroom and terraces. Like what you hear? Well, The Chelsea Townhall is a part of the Chelsea Sideline Club, a new platform aimed at bringing Chelsea fans closer to the club with narrative podcasts, videos and other premium editorial content. Visit www.ChelseaSideline.club for more! Use the code CHELSEATOWNHALL to receive a 20 per cent discount on memberships.

Mark Killick was best friends with Matthew Harding, the pair finding kinship owing to a shared love for Chelsea Football Club. Killick was also an executor of Harding's will following his tragic death in October 1996 and speaks publicly with The Blueprint for the first time. In a varied interview, Killick provides new insight to Harding's hopes and ambitions for Chelsea, including making the Blues the preeminent club in London and the Premier League. Harding also sought new investment for Chelsea, which Killick explains may well have involved the billionaire owner of Virgin, Richard Branson. *** The full eight-part narrative series of The Blueprint: How Chelsea FC Changed Football will follow "The Matthew Harding Tapes" on 31 May 2023 as we tell the inside story of modern Chelsea. The Blueprint is a HWY61 production. For more podcasts like this one, visit www.HWY61.media Our theme music "Blue Day '23" is composed by Mike Connaris with bed arrangements by Jake Bradford-Sharp. It's used under license from Mcasso Music.

Matthew Harding is a significant and important figure in the history Chelsea Football Club after his investments into the Blues in the 1990s helped the club to scale new heights. Much has been made of the so-called "Battle for Stamford Bridge" between Harding and former Chelsea owner, Ken Bates. But little is known or spoken about with regard to Harding outside of this. Who was he? What was he like? How did his friends and family see him? Through extensive conversations with those closest to him, The Blueprint is bringing to light the persona and the humanity of the man that was Matthew Harding. In this first episode of "The Matthew Harding Tapes", we speak with David Cooper, who was Harding's confidante and lawyer who oversaw the inquest in his death following a tragic helicopter accident in October 1996. David sheds light on Harding's various business delaings and brings us into the life of the former Chelsea vice-chairman. *** The full eight-part narrative series of The Blueprint: How Chelsea FC Changed Football will follow "The Matthew Harding Tapes" on 31 May 2023 as we tell the inside story of modern Chelsea. The Blueprint is a HWY61 production. For more podcasts like this one, visit www.HWY61.media Our theme music "Blue Day '23" is composed by Mike Connaris with bed arrangements by Jake Bradford-Sharp. It's used under license from Mcasso Music.

In the second part of The Ken Bates Tapes, the former Chelsea FC owner opens up on his strained relationship with Matthew Harding and the circumstances surrounding the Blues' sale to Roman Abramovich. Bates expalins Chelsea's financial situation ahead of the sale in 2003 and challenges the notion the club was facing financial difficulty. The full eight-part narrative series of The Blueprint will follow in May 2023. The Blueprint is a HWY61 production. For more podcasts like this one, visit www.HWY61.media Our theme music "Blue Day '23" is composed by Mike Connaris with bed arrangements by Jake Bradford-Sharp. It's used under license from Mcasso Music.

It's a story unlike any other in English football. And now we're going to tell it. Welcome to The Blueprint! We're launching our series with a two-part special as Garry Hayes and Ceri Levy sit down with former Chelsea FC owner Ken Bates to hear him tell his Stamford Bridge story like never before. Bates seldom gives interviews these days. Indeed, he doesn't do documentary, which makes The Ken Bates Tapes all the more compelling. In the next two episodes, listeners will hear how Bates ushered in a new dawn for Chelsea FC and English football. From battling the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal for equity in the Premier League, to appointing Glenn Hoddle as Chelsea manager; his boardroom battles with Matthew Harding and how he sold the club to Roman Abramovich over dinner at The Dorchester Hotel in London. The full eight-part narrative series of The Blueprint, telling the story of modern Chelsea, will drop in May 2023. The Blueprint is a HWY61 production. For more podcasts like this one, visit www.HWY61.media Our theme music "Blue Day '23" is composed by Mike Connaris with bed arrangements by Jake Bradford-Sharp. It's used under license from Mcasso Music.

As Didier Drogba approached the penalty spot in Munich, he knew Chelsea's destiny rested on his shoulders. A club that two decades earlier had flirted with extinction, faced potential bankruptcy, reached five Champions League semi-finals and lost a final on penalties, was staring destiny in the face once more. And this time, Drogba delivered, stroking his penalty home... somehow, Chelsea Football Club had reached the promised land. They were European champions. The Blueprint tells the story of how it all happened.  From the arrival of Glenn Hoddle as manager in 1993, right through to glory in Munich in 2012, we speak with the key players and decision makers who inspired an impossible story. The Blueprint is coming soon, so subscribe now. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter for regular updates @Blueprint_pod