Chelsea have had four main crests, which all underwent minor variations. The first, adopted when the club was founded, was the image of a Chelsea pensioner, the army veterans who reside at the nearby Royal Hospital Chelsea. This contributed to the club's original "pensioner" nickname, and remained for the next half-century, though it never appeared on the shirts. When Ted Drake became Chelsea manager in 1952, he began to modernize the club. Believing the Chelsea pensioner crest to be old-fashioned, he insisted that it be replaced. A stop-gap badge which comprised the initials C.F.C. was adopted for a year. In 1953, the club crest was changed to an upright blue lion looking backwards and holding a staff. It was based on elements in the coat of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea with the "lion rampant regardant" taken from the arms of then club president Viscount Chelsea and the staff from the Abbots of Westminster, former Lords of the Manor of Chelsea. It also featured three red roses, to represent England, and two footballs.
2006 - Present
With the new ownership of Roman Abramovich, and the club’s centenary approaching, combined with demands from fans for the popular 1950s badge to be restored, it was decided that the crest should be changed again in 2005. The new crest was officially adopted for the start of the 2005 – 2006 season and marked a return to the older design, used from 1953 to 1986, featuring a blue heraldic lion holding a staff surrounded by a blue ring with two red with white trim footballs and rose. The blue ring also includes arched wordmark “CHELSEA” at the top and “FOOTBALL CLUB” at the bottom in white with yellow trim.
2005 - 2006
A new coat of arms in honor of the club’s 100 years anniversary was created in 2004. Features a blue heraldic lion holding a staff surrounded by a blue ring with two red with white trim footballs and rose. The blue ring also includes arched wordmark “CHELSEA” at the top and “FOOTBALL CLUB” at the bottom in white with yellow trim.
2003 - 2005
In 2003, the circle background has come back. The Chelsea lion is in white hanging over the initials “CFC” in white with a light blue circle background.
1999 - 2003
For the 1999 logo, Chelsea removed the circle and made some color changes. The lion is now blue and white hanging over the initials “CFC” in blue.
1997 - 1999
Chelsea’s next change in their primary logo is moving to a navy blue circle background with a now yellow lion hanging over the initials “CFC” in white.
1995 - 1997
The 1995 version of Chelsea’s primary logo has a lighter color blue. The Chelsea lion is now light blue and yellow again hanging over the initials “CFC” in light blue.
1986 - 1995
In 1985, Chelsea made a dramatic change in their primary logo. Moving to a navy blue circle background with a red lion hanging over the initials “CFC” in white.
1953 - 1986
In 1953, the club crest was changed to an upright blue lion looking backward and holding a staff. It was based on elements in the coat of arms of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea with the “lion rampant regardant” taken from the arms of then club president Viscount Chelsea and the staff from the Abbots of Westminster, former Lords of the Manor of Chelsea. It also featured three red roses, to represent England and two footballs.
1952 - 1953
The two-year primary logo for Chelsea primarily consisted of the interlocked initials “CFC” is an olde english font in white on a blue with a white trim shield.
1905 - 1952
Chelsea was based in 1905. The first emblem of the club was a collective image of the British army veterans with medals on their chests. In fact, it was the logo of the Royal Hospital of Chelsea. It was not put on the form but appeared on the first match programs. So the club was nicknamed “The Pensioners.”
1905 - 1952
The first, adopted when the club was founded, was the image of a Chelsea pensioner, the army veterans who reside at the nearby Royal Hospital Chelsea. This contributed to the club’s original “pensioner” nickname and remained for the next half-century. The original logo is in blue and white with a blue with a white trim circle with a pensioner breaking out of the circle.