Chelsea of empty seats

Sep 23 2007 GORDON WADDELL

IT'S a telling statistic that Leeds United had more fans at their League One clash with Hartlepool than turned up for Chelsea against Rosenborg in the Champions League last midweek.

And the Blues don't have the excuse of exorbitant prices either.

You could get in to the Champions League clash for 36 quid - less than the price of a pint in the Kings Road.

It proves there's one thing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's money can't buy. The club don't have fans any more. They only have customers.

They don't support their team. They support winning.

That's not what following a football club is all about.

You can't just say "Ach, it's only Rosenborg. I'll wait until we're in the quarter-finals against someone sexy before I go along."

When your team are playing in front of a half-empty stadium, who's going to inspire them to get that far?

The Chelsea supporters need to learn that being a fan is about thick and thin.

email: g.waddell@sundaymail.co.uk