Twice in the past week the Chelsea Foundation has once again opened our doors to some special guests.
A selection of Chelsea fans who have been going through difficult times were invited into the training ground to watch their heroes in action during our latest community days.
Before they took to the training pitch, the guests were also treated to an insightful Q&A with Chelsea legend and now loan technical coach, Carlo Cudicini.
The attendees and their families were then taken out to training to watch the likes of Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher hard at work.
Once the training had finished, the squad and manager made their way over to meet the guests and sign memorabilia. Gallagher said: ‘It’s really special for the people to be able to come and watch us train, but it’s also very special for us players to meet all of them and to give something back to our community and Chelsea fans.’
Lifelong Chelsea fan Phoebe Stockdale said: ‘A surreal day which was definitely worth getting up early for and I don’t say that often. It’s been a tough period with the cancer but thankfully I had some good news last week and this has been the cherry on top. Truly amazing!’
Fellow Chelsea fanatic Skye Ripley had been fortunate enough to meet former squad players such as John Terry, Didier Drogba and David Luiz, however there was one person who Skye missed out on that day, current captain Cesar Azpilicueta who she was finally able to meet at this community day.
‘Life couldn’t get any better than today,’ Skye said. ‘It’s been a massive lift. I have been lucky to already have met some Chelsea legends, but I’ve been looking forward to this day for ages and even better that I managed to meet Azpi.’
Luisa Nunes, who is originally from Portugal was delighted to meet new recruit Joao Felix and even brought along a box of chocolates for her favourite player, Mason Mount. Luisa said: ‘This has been a dream day, I was in tears when I found out I was coming, happy tears of course! I couldn’t believe it. I knew it was Mason’s birthday the other day so I decided to bring him a box of chocolates and I was so happy when he took them.’
Wade Potter could not believe it when he met the squad who signed his Chelsea shirt. He said: ‘It has been absolutely brilliant, I couldn’t have asked for a better day and thanks to Chelsea Foundation for making it happen!’
More photos from the community day are below...