This weekend marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of iconic Chelsea figure Matthew Harding…

After returning from a Chelsea fixture against Bolton, Harding was involved in an air accident that would see his life end at just 42-years-old.

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A lifelong Chelsea fan, Harding achieved so much with the club – and was a high-profile director by the time he died.

Harding began his involvement with Chelsea simply as a fan, but he would soon find himself written into the DNA of the club – and many of his actions still have an effect on Chelsea today.

With that said, here are 3 of Matthew Harding’s greatest legacies that he left behind at Chelsea…

 Investment

Whilst Harding is most well remembered for the passion that he had for Chelsea – he did far more than just support the Blues.

During tough financial troubles in the 1990s, Harding dipped into his fortune and helped to aid the Blues following a battle with the council, that saw the chance of Chelsea being evicted from Stamford Bridge become a very real possibility.

Harding donated millions to Chelsea, and helped fund the regeneration of the stadium after the Blues won the battle to hold on to Stamford Bridge.

This would see him immediately rise through the ranks with the Blues, and he quickly became a director at the club.

His contribution is now remembered through the aptly named Matthew Harding Stand – a part of the stadium in which he helped fund.

 The Progression of Chelsea

Harding’s focus and dedication to the Blues did not just stop at a simple investment, however.

He was far more focused on the longevity of his Chelsea project, and along with a number of other influential figures, Harding would oversee a period of sustained progression by Chelsea – a period that was characterised by an influx of foreign talent.

Ruud Gullit was, undoubtedly, Harding’s biggest project – with the world-renowned Dutchman coming to Stamford Bridge, a move which Harding had a hand in and was delighted at completing.

His vision and passion for the future of Chelsea was unrivalled, and it is unlikely that players like Gianfranco Zola would have signed following his death should his vision have not been accepted by the other directors at the club.

 Club and Fan Interaction

The reason that Matthew Harding achieved such a fantastic relationship with fans was because, simply put, he was the biggest of all of them.

He would regularly come to Fulham Broadway in his Chelsea shirt, spend time with Chelsea fans, before changing into his suit so he could be given access to his official box at Stamford Bridge.

He was a businessman, of course, but at his core – he was a fan. And he held the success of Chelsea above everything else.

The relationship with the fans that he had brought a connection between club and it’s supporters; and the Blues were all the better for it.

The reason that Chelsea have such a good relationship with their fans, to this very day, is due in large part – to Matthew Harding.

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