Incredible story of Chelsea’s first ever ballboy: War hero, POW and 120-year-old photo

Amazing find as historians identify Chelsea’s first ever ball boy from 1905. His grandaughter says he will be cheering them on in the European Conference final “in heaven”

As Chelsea prepare for their big European cup final against Real Betis historians have astonishingly tracked down the identity of their first ever ball boy photographed back in 1905. James Ridley was pictured standing behind the team line-up as a young 13-year-old schoolboy.

Now James’s family have finally been tracked down and they described his lifelong love for Chelsea. And they even revealed how he went onto become a World War One hero and held as a Prisoner of War.

His grand-daughter Sylvia Jensen is now living in Canada and said James died back in 1975 but always had an extraordinary passion for Chelsea. Mirror Sport spoke to Sylvia about her grandad who she recalled with great affection.

Sylvia said: “Grandad was actually given the Chelsea 1905 team photo by the Club after they had it taken, as a memento for being their very first ball boy. You can see him standing on the right behind the player called Moran. He kept this photo safe all through his life in his special keepsake box.

“These first Chelsea football players became his heroes and they treated him very well. I have very vivid memories of my grandparents, having adored them as a child.”

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She added: “My Grandad Jim would be overjoyed if he knew the Daily Mirror was writing a story about him so many years later. You can bet he is cheering on Chelsea this week from his seat in heaven.”

Sylvia went on to reveal the extraordinary bravery of her Grandad in World War One. He ended up being held as a German Prisoner of War.

She said: “When WW1 broke out he saw a poster and wasted no time in acting upon it He loved his team so much, that once the call out for recruiting men to fight in World War One came.

“Grandad saw the poster displayed on the fencing at Stamford Bridge. It was blue, in Chelsea colours, and asked the fans: ‘Do You Want To Be A Chelsea Die-Hard?’ If so, join the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regt. and follow the lead given by your favourite football players”

“I have a copy of that poster that I made into a picture that hangs on my wall in my home above Grandad’s army photos and his 1905 Chelsea Eleven photo I had enlarged and framed. Grandad knew his team had a ‘Pals Battalion, 1st Footballers’, and wanted to join them and fight alongside his heroes.

“Grandad said that he played football with some of the best football players in the country whilst he served alongside them over in France, on their rest periods. He absolutely enjoyed that experience and treasured those memories, often telling his sons his stories.

“He was wounded by gunshot in July 1916 and sent back home to recover, heal, and then retrain for battle conditions. During this time he met my Nannie Annie. He was a bit naughty whilst courting her as his military records show he got disciplined and fined three times for being late back to camp, but he was totally in love.”

James was later awarded these medals: 1914-15 Star, received 22 March 1921, British War Medal 14-18, received 4 October 1921. Victory Medal, received 4 October, 1921.

He was demobilised and discharged on 21 March 1919. After he returned from War he continued his support of Chelsea. Sylvia said: “Grandad often said that, once home from the war, the games kept him going, helping with his morale and the horrible memories he carried.

“In those days post traumatic stress was not recognised like it is today, and it was his love of his team, going to see them play when at home, and playing piano for them, that greatly helped him get through and carry on.”

Sylvia added: “My Dad was born in 1931 and Grandad would take him over to Eel Brook Common to play a bit of football together. As a boy, he would sneak into see Chelsea play at home by getting through at the Shed End. He and his friends did this as they didn’t have any money to pay to get in. My Dad was a Chelsea fan all his life, too.”

Historian and Chelsea fan Andrew Rowley said: “A few years ago a WW1 historical website ran an article on Chelsea’s involvement with the 17th Football Battalion of the Middlesex.

“Not only had our amateur captain, Vivian Woodward joined, it also mentioned James Ridley as well. He was a 13-year-old living opposite Stamford Bridge he had volunteered as a ball-boy, back in 1905 and sneaked into the first Chelsea team photograph so he could be seen with his idols.

“I was reminded of this recently by Andy Jackson – who is one of our followers at Chelsea Graves Society. I decided to see if he had any living relatives. Incredibly I managed to find Sylvia and she was so delighted her grandad was still being remembered after all this time.

“It’s lovely that on the eve of this final against Real Betis that someone who was photographed in our very first photo has been identified and the story of his real love of Chelsea told in full.”

Nathan Whitehouse of the Chelsea Graves Society said: “It was great work by the team – especially Andrew Rowley. It’s fantastic that these great Chelsea characters are remembered properly.”