1970-Present

In 1970, Chelsea finished in third place in the league. They also won the FA Cup that year against Leeds United. This was watched by the largest UK television audience for a club match at that time with 28.5 million people tuning in.

Sexton was sacked in 1974 after three years of instability. Chelsea's inconsistency still continued however with relegation occurring in 1975 and 1979. 

On Friday, April 2nd, 1982, Chelsea FC were bought by Ken Bates for one pound. After almost humiliating himself and the whole of Chelsea, the manager at the time John Neal recovered from nearly being relegated from the second division to winning promotion back to the first division a year later. A new commercial era entered football with Chelsea's first shirt sponsor in 1983, Gulf Air. 

In the 1990s the modern Chelsea was created. This started when the owner at the time, Cabra Estates, went bust. Chelsea were founding members of the new Premier League in 1992/93 and they have managed to stay in the top flight ever since. This is their best run ever. Glenn Hoddle took over and decided to purchase many star players and play attractive, attacking football bringing back memories of the old Chelsea. They won many competitions during this period and in 1999 fielded the first ever all overseas XI.

A massive moment for Chelsea came in 2003 when they defeated Liverpool to clinch Champions League football. This was so important as it came at a time when Ken Bates was coming under serious financial trouble. It was also incredibly essential as it convince Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to buy the club on the 1st of July 2003. This cleared all debt and allowed them to buy many expensive players and an expensive manager-Jose Mourinho who has since become the most successful manager in Chelsea's history. He became popular with the media instantly as he dubbed himself 'The Special One' and in his first season, he won Chelsea's first title in 50 years. He managed to retain the next season when he won it again however, disagreements with Abramovich caused him to leave in 2007. 

Chelsea's most historic night happened in Munich in 2012 when they clinched the Champions League, a trophy which had proven too difficult for such a long time.

'The Special One' made a sensational return in 2013 and he won the League again in 2015.