Our ‘Ever Wonder’ series will run throughout the 2022-23 Premier League season and focuses on key stories behind the history, tradition and culture of all 20 Premier League clubs.
[ MORE: Check out our ‘Ever Wonder’ series in full ]
Have you ever sat there and wondered why certain chants became iconic at a club? Why a team has a certain nickname? Why they play in those colors? How they were founded? Yep, us too.
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This season we will be digging deep to tell the stories of the rich history, tradition and culture from around the Premier League and give you the answers to things you want to know more about.
Ever Wonder why Chelsea’s home is called Stamford Bridge?
It is one of the most iconic and historic stadiums in the world but why is the home of Chelsea Football Club called Stamford Bridge?
It is not in an area called Stamford but there is a bridge involved. Confused? Me too.
Bridge repair and Old English
The first mention of a Bridge in the area was way back in 1410, when records show that “Samfordesbrigge” needed to be repaired.
Fast-forward to the 18th century, and it starts to become a little clearer.
A creek and two bridges
Local maps from west London show that between the Fulham Road and King’s Road there was a small stream called ‘Stanford Creek,’ which flowed into the River Thames.
It ran behind the current location of the stadium’s East Stand.
There was a bridge which ran across the stream as it crossed Fulham Road known as ‘Little Chelsea Bridge’ which was originally called Sanford Bridge (meaning sand ford).
Another bridge over the stream at the King’s Road was named Stanbridge (meaning stone bridge).
Over the years the names of those two bridges and the stream morphed into Stanford Bridge, which then became Stamford Bridge.
Stanford or Stamford?
So, the name of Chelsea’s famous ground should really be Stanford Bridge instead of Stamford Bridge.
And the from two bridges, one stream, plenty of Old English and a lovely chunk of evolution and confusion.
