Chelsea’s story commenced at the time when two brothers, Gus and J.T Mears purchased Stamford Bridge, which was at that time the home of London Athletics club. Gus Mears had been attempting to purchase the ground for eight years with the plan of turning it into the finest football stadium in London; however he nearly changed his mind when Great Western railway put in a bid to use the land as a coal dump. The brothers decided that it was the right decision to buy the club and in 1905, Chelsea FC was created and they lobbied their way into the second division without even kicking a football. They gained promotion only two years later, however they gradually deteriorated and were unable to win a trophy. In the year 1915, Chelsea made their first appearance in an FA Cup final; however they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Sheffield United. Their finest league season during this period came during the 1935 – 1936 campaign as the Blues finished the season off in eighth place in the top flight. They did reach the semi finals of the FA Cup in 1920, 1932 and 1950. They spent five years between 1925 and 1930 in the second division, however they were a top flight club for the majority of the time. Billy Birrel was installed as the manager in the year 1939 and spent twelve years in charge at the club.