Deep Blue

By
Hugh Hastings Chelsea FC Official Photographer 1977-1986

l 

Published by Retro Books

ISBN 978 095577930 5

 

Deep Blue, A Behind the Scenes Portrait of Chelsea FC in the troublesome 1970s and 80s is one of the best photo books I have seen in a long time. And maybe that was because of the times, or maybe it is because it was when I fell in love with Chelsea, or most probably because the photos in it are just absolutely fantastic!!!! It captures that time in Chelsea's history, the passion and energy of the Shed, the heroics of those players fighting for real survival on all sorts of levels, and a club that had loads of promise. And Hugh was there to capture it for all of us, and kind enough to pass it along. There are some very poignant photos in there, from a photo of Chopper Harris and two other supporters walking the dog track in the very early 70s to raise money for the club, to the numerous photos of the supporters in the Shed giving their all for the club.

 

And if you remember those players, well this can only bring a huge smile to your face. It is great to see all of them in their "Blue". And to even spot them. Will any Chelsea supporter ever not be able to spot Kerry Dixon's arm raised in triumph after a goal!! How about Clive Walker with a full head of hair and always in the middle of the action. And Paul Cannoville, having to be twice the player to get half the support. And our always stylish Pat Nevin, never looking like a footballer off the pitch but surely so in the photos of him on the pitch. (OK I named them as they were my first favorite

players) But this book is chock full of photos of the players, on the pitch, in the dressing room, and away from the Bridge. Half the fun is trying to spot them and then having a look at the back of the book to see if you got it right (thanks Hugh for doing that, what a treat)

 

And I can imagine that Hugh has so many more great photos, what a task to edit through them to make this book, that acknowledges the less than perfect points of the day, and yet leaving the viewer with a great feeling about those days. Especially the celebration of coming up from the old 2nd division, after the celebrations of the past few years, here is a reminder of when we celebrated every victory with ardor and passion.

 

There isn't a lot of writing in this book, which proves the point again that a picture is worth a thousand words. And for me, a lot of memories, great memories, and a nod to a part of our history that maybe we don't celebrate enough, but for some of us, it is filled with heros, victories, tears of joy and tears of frustrations, and yes our share of troubles, and how nice to set the troubles aside and remember that what really mattered, why most of us were really there, was for the Chelsea!!!!

 

By the way, Hugh self published this book, so if you can't get to the Bridge to pick up your copy, please do go to http://www.retrobooks.co.uk and send an email, he will be more than happy to post it to you any place in the world!!

Review by Beth Wild