A little know fact (Citation needed), is that we Chelsea fans were the first group of supporters to ever publicly, "en masse" show our appreciation to a former player, playing for an opposing team. The year 1986. The player Mickey Thomas. The venue The Hawthorns. I was but a young boy, ahem, at the time and remember being in the away end obviously, Mickey was warming up and ran down to where most of the Chelsea supporters were sitting/standing to retrieve a ball that was over hit to him. Everyone stood and applauded/cheered him, for his efforts the season before. (I think we were relegated). He looked into the crowd almost amazed and retuned the gesture. Hairs on my neck erected. It was the first time I had ever heard of this type of gesture, If anyone can recall an earlier one I am all ears.
Helpful word in your ear, don't put this on any other boards That may or may not have been the first time Chelsea supporters did something like this but is way off the first time any group of supporters did
I'm happy to accept your post, but in all honesty, I really believe most fans of most clubs are happy to applaud any former player who did his best for his old Club. Occasionally there's a drop kick player who left under a cloud, and quite rightly they get a shellacking. Chelsea fans are right up there with the best when it comes to respecting players who did the shirt proud.
