Chelsea FC: London wakes up hung over as blues fans party for 36-hours straight after Champions League victory

 

 

 

 

 

The triumphant players arrived in the capital fresh from a night of celebration to parade the trophy on an open-top bus ride through west London yesterday.
And they were greeted by a sea of blue, made up of thousands of ecstatic supporters waving flags, singing songs and chanting their names.
Kieron Lee, a 19-year-old shop worker said: “This is the best day of my life. I’ve been up for the last 28 hours without any sleep. Since the game we’ve just been drinking, celebrating and just thinking about it over and over again.”
Charlie Holder, 35, who was joined by his children Billy, nine, and Patsy, three, said: “I cried today, this is just the most incredible day. When the game finished I went out and slipped into an alcoholic coma. I’ve had a little bit of sleep but it is just a massive day.”
Katie Winkworth, 27, who was celebrating with friends in Parsons Green said: “We haven’t been to bed yet – I haven’t even washed. I am actually a Man United supporter but I’m here because my other half supports Chelsea and he said it was a one off.”
Some supporters climbed lampposts, traffic lights and trees to catch a glimpse of the players as they stopped for 20 minutes beside Eel Brook Common on the New King’s Road.
Sophia Florentzos, 39, who went to Munich to watch the match, said: “I got back to London at 4.30 in the morning. I’ve probably had about eight hours sleep in the last three days, but it was worth it – the atmosphere was amazing.”
Life-long Chelsea fan Sabrina Nash, 35, said: “It is just an unbelievable feeling, I thought we weren’t going to do it, but it was definitely the best moment of my life when we won. I watched the game at home but as soon as we won I came down to the streets to celebrate.”
And the players took their turn to thank the crowd, with captain John Terry – who missed the final through suspension – leading the way with chants of “Champione, champione, ole, ole, ole”.
He told the fans: “We’ve waited eight years for this trophy. We love you guys - Chelsea’s your club, so we deserve this.”
The team looked less than fresh after a night of celebration, and defender David Luiz drew loud cheers when he told the delighted crowd: “I’m so tired, I don’t know if I can play any more games”.
They were joined on the blue bus by Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich, who has reportedly pumped £1 billion into the club since he bought it in 2003.
And when Terry paid tribute to the Russian, he stood up to accept the adulation of the crowd, who sang his name.
The party showed no sign of ending after the players said their final thanks, with thousands flocking to local pubs.
Neil Dunning, manager of the Duke on the Green pub in Parson’s Green said: “The atmosphere has been electric here all weekend. When the final whistle went on Saturday night everyone moved into the streets around Fulham Broadway and they have been there ever since.”
A huge clean-up operation was underway today to clear the streets of the debris fans left in their wake, including thousands of sticks of celery – the subject of a favourite Chelsea chant.