Chelsea and the Community Shield

The FA Community Shield match is now just one week away.

The Community Shield (formerly the Charity Shield) is seen as being the curtain raiser for the new season.

Chelsea's involvement with the trophy actually goes back further than many would suspect.

Formerly the Sheriff of London Trophy, contested between amateurs and professionals, the newly named Charity Shield was first contested at Stamford Bridge in 1908 (though it would be some time before the Premier League champions vs FA Cup winners formula would be established).

A 'glorified friendly' some would say but it still provides a great day out for the fans and gives a glimpse of what to expect in the coming months.

The following slideshow is an overview of Chelsea's involvement in Community/Charity Shield matches.

1955: Chelsea 3 Newcastle United 0

Chelsea's first Charity Shield game as Football League champions saw them take on FA Cup winners Newcastle United.

Tradition of the time meant this game was played at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea were league winners.

Chelsea won 3-0 thanks to goals from captain Roy Bentley, Frank Blunstone and a Newcastle United own goal.

In the season ahead, champions Chelsea would finish 16th in Division One on 39 points, while Newcastle would be two points but five places better off in 11th.

1970: Chelsea 1 Everton 2

The 1970 Charity Shield saw FA Cup winners Chelsea playing League champions Everton.

Unusually, this game was played at Stamford Bridge. This was the sixth and final time Stamford Bridge would be the venue.

Everton were 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Alan Whittle and Howard Kendall, with Ian Hutchinson scoring in reply for Chelsea.

In the 1970-71 season, Chelsea would struggle to make an impression domestically but would win the European Cup Winners Cup, defeating Real Madrid in the final.

1997: Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1 (United win 4-2 on penalties)

1997 saw Chelsea make their first appearance in the FA Charity Shield for 27 years.

Having won the FA Cup, Chelsea were to face Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, now firmly established as the Shield venue.

Chelsea took the lead through former United striker Mark Hughes but Ronnie Johnsen soon equalised. The game came down to penalty kicks but it was United who held their nerve.

The 1997/98 season was eventful for Chelsea. Gianluca Vialli would replace Ruud Gullit as manager but Chelsea would still go on to win the League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup double.

2000: Chelsea 2 Manchester United 0

Three years on from the 1997 game and FA Cup winners Chelsea were once again facing Manchester United in the last Charity Shield match to be played at the old Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea were victorious this time though, thanks to goals from debutant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mario Melchiot.

This was the last trophy won by Chelsea manager Gianluca Vialli, who would be replaced soon after by Claudio Ranieri.

2005: Arsenal 1 Chelsea 2

After a five year absence, Chelsea were back in the now renamed FA Community Shield match.

This time the game was being played at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and this time Chelsea were League champions.

A brace by Didier Drogba was enough to seal a win for the Blues though Arsenal did pull one back through Cesc Fabregas.

Chelsea would go on to retain their league title while Arsenal were on the start of a barren run that has thus far seen them trophy-less for five years.

2006: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 2

One of many, many games between Liverpool and Chelsea in the last few years saw the two sides meet in the 2006 Community Shield: Chelsea as League champions, Liverpool as FA Cup winners.

Liverpool took an early lead through John Arne Riise but Andreii Shevchenko equalised for Chelsea. In the 80th minute, Peter Crouch scored the winner for Liverpool.

All was not lost for Chelsea however, who would claim a League Cup and FA Cup double in the following season.

2007: Chelsea 1 Manchester United 1 (United win 3-0 on penalties)

2007 saw Chelsea compete in their third consecutive Community Shield, this time from the position of FA Cup holders.

Ryan Giggs opened the scoring for United but Florent Malouda equalised. A stalemate at full time saw the game go to penalty kicks. Chelsea missed all of theirs while United scored all three to give them the victory.

Jose Mourinho would be sacked soon after this match. Chelsea would finish as runners-up in the Premier League and the League Cup.

2007/08 would also finish the same way it started. Chelsea losing to Manchester United in a penalty shoot-out but this time in the Champions League final.

2009: Chelsea 2 Manchester United 2 (Chelsea win 4-1 on penalties)

When the referee blew for full time in this game Chelsea fans would have feared the worst.

It was 11 years since Chelsea had won a penalty shoot-out and United had beaten them in their last three.

The game itself had been decent with Nani giving United an early lead. Second half goals from Ricardo Carvahlo and Frank Lampard seeming to have won the game for Chelsea before Wayne Rooney equalised in the last minute to take the game to penalties.

This time however, it was Chelsea who held their nerve to claim their first Community Shield in four years.

Chelsea would follow this success by going on to win the Premier League and FA Cup double in the coming season.