Chelsea vs Middlesbrough: Boro could be relegated at Stamford Bridge… 30 years after violent clash
MONDAY’S Premier League clash between Chelsea and Middlesbrough is bound to evoke memories for the elder members of each side’s fan base –especially with relegation on the line.
It might be nearly 30 years on from scenes of carnage that shamed football, but the images from the Battle of Stamford Bridge are still just as harrowing.
It’s almost 30 years since violent scenes marred Chelsea and Middlesbrough’s play-off clashAlamyAntonio Conte’s Chelsea side welcome Boro to Stamford Bridge tonightPA:Press AssociationSteve Agnew’s Boro will be relegated if they are defeated by the BluesPA:Press Association
The occasion was a crunch play-off second-leg in west London, when one team from the top flight took on three from the lower tier to contest one place in the First Divison.
Second Division Middlesbrough had defeated the First Division strugglers 2-0 in the first meeting in the north east.
Thousands of supporters made their way from Teesside to witness Gordon Durie strike for the Blues in the capital – but the visitors held their nerve to relegate their hosts and win promotion.
And that result sparked pure chaos at the Bridge as pandemonium broke loose after the final whistle.
Angry home fans broke through fencing at the infamous Shed, charging past the police and heading straight for the enclosure holding the away followers.
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Makeshift missiles were launched into the stand, bombarding the irate Boro supporters, with many trying to break through the caging to confront the aggressors.
A police officer was injured during the shocking scenes and had to be carried from the pitch on a stretcher.
The late Stuart Bell, the then MP for Middlesbrough, described the pitch invasion as “the hordes of Ghengis Khan” in the aftermath.
Gordon Durie’s goal in the 1988 clash was not enough to stop Chelsea from being relegatedAlamyAnd the striker had his head cut open by an object thrown from the crowd as violence erupted at Stamford BridgeAlamyChelsea supporters broke through onto the pitch at the final whistleAlamyThey then charged the Boro fans to try and attack them as the police were powerless to prevent the ugly scenesAlamyHundreds of fans entered the pitch as violence erupted at the BridgePA:Press Association ArchiveA police officer was injured and stretchered from the field during the meleePA:Press Association Archive
He said: “Chelsea fans in the tier above us had their faces contorted with hate.
“They were pelting us with oranges and one youth threw a bottle of beer which sprayed everyone.”
The Football Association acted swiftly to punish the Blues for the disorder.
Chelsea’s first five home matches of the following campaign were all-seater and all-ticket, with the terracing closed and away fans barred.
Police were unable to stop the supporters from breaking through onto the pitchAlamyThe violence erupted after Middlesbrough relegated ChelseaAlamyPolice on horses attempted to restore order following the final whistleAlamyMiddlesbrough fans were penned in the away enclosure as missiles were launched at themPA:Press Association ArchiveA number of fans were arrested following the chaotic and terrifying scenesGetty ImagesChelsea were forced to play the first five home games of the next season as all-ticket matches with terracing closedAlamyAway supporters were also banned from Stamford BridgeAlamyOrder was finally restored once police mounted horses to get the Chelsea fans back into their own endAlamy
That did not deter the Londoners from winning an instant return to the top-flight that year, while Boro swapped places with them.
Three decades later Chelsea can exact revenge by claiming the three points that would seal Middlesbrough’s relegation back to the Championship.
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