50 Years of Chelsea: 1995-96 Pt.2

The Chelsea FanCast looks back, season by season, to 50 Years of Chelsea history from 1970 to the present day.

Stamford Chidge is joined by Jonathan Kydd and Mark Meehan to look back at the 1995-96 season.

In Part Two of our look back at the 1995-96 season, we pick up the story in January. Chelsea have been drawn against Newcastle, the Premier League leaders, in the FA Cup 3rd round, and in the process embark on a sometimes bizarre but never dull Cup run.

A Kharine error leading to a Ferdinand goal in injury time means a reply at St James’ Park where the tie is ultimately settled by a penalty shoot-out with Chelsea making it with some fine penalties and Kevin Hitchcock saves.

After making short work of QPR in the next round, Chelsea needs replays in the 5th round against Grimsby and quarter-final against Wimbledon to make it through to their second FA Cup semi-final in three seasons.

But Man Utd ruined the party, again. Ruud Gullit put Chelsea ahead, but injuries to both wing backs and a disastrous Craig Burley back pass leading to David Beckham’s winner meant Chelsea would have to wait one more year for their first FA Cup trophy since 1970.

The League form was inconsistent with an 11th place finish and suffered at the expense of the FA Cup run, but Chelsea supporters had seen enough this season to believe that trophies were within reach. But the final act of the drama saw Glen Hoddle, the architect of this optimism, leave to manage England. The consolation being the appointment of Ruud Gullit as player-manager for the next season.

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