The ever-popular Annual Lunch event returned on Friday 1 December, with current Blues players Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja joining club legends Frank Lampard, Gianfranco Zola, Jody Morris and Michael Essien, and supporters from across the years at Stamford Bridge to celebrate all things Chelsea.
Taking place within Chelsea’s prestigious Great Hall, the Annual Lunch has always been an opportunity for the club to celebrate our history and bring together players and supporters from different generations for an afternoon of entertainment and reminiscing.
The 2023 edition was no exception, with representatives from across more than 50 years of Chelsea, on and off the pitch, in attendance at the event hosted by Chris Hollins, son of our legendary FA Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup-winning midfielder John Hollins, who sadly passed away this year.
In his welcome message to supporters, Chairman Todd Boehly said: ‘This is an event that I have heard so much about, when current and former Chelsea players are joined by hundreds of supporters to celebrate everything that is good about this wonderful football club. I am excited and honoured to be able to experience it for the first time.
The theme this year is Through the Ages, looking back at the club’s illustrious history since its foundation in 1905 and, as you can see from the trophies around the room here today, and the past and present players taking to the stage, there is a lot to celebrate.’
The day also supported two important causes, with the funds raised going towards the Chelsea Players’ Trust and the award-winning community work done by the Chelsea Foundation. That sum was added to by a raffle and silent auction, with prizes including signed shirts from the current men’s and women’s squads, match tickets and the chance to attend a training session at Cobham.
