DUBAI, U.A.E., 1st May, 2005 - Emirates-sponsored Chelsea Football Club have topped an incredible domestic season by winning the English Premiership title for the first time in 50 years - and with three matches still to play.
The boys in blue, who proudly wear the Fly Emirates logo across their team shirts, secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers last night to take the top honours in the English game - one of the most competitive football leagues in the world.
Emirates, who are in the final year of a five-year sponsorship deal with the club, are delighted for Chelsea on this much-deserved Premiership success.
Maurice Flanagan, Emirates' Vice Chairman and Group President, said: "I would like to congratulate Chelsea on this fantastic achievement. To be crowned the Premiership Champions is the greatest achievement in English football and Chelsea have worked hard to realise their dreams under the tactical guidance of their coach Jose Mourinho.
"Emirates has enjoyed five productive and positive years with Chelsea and it is good to see the club win the English Premiership. They have had an amazing season not just domestically but in Europe as well, and while it is our last year with the club as sponsors, we are overjoyed at their success."
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was equally overjoyed with his teams' success: "This group is really special. Nobody speaking with fairness and sense can say we don't deserve this title. I'm very happy for the fans but the players deserve this more than anybody.
"My players have talent, ambition and desire and from July we felt something special. Football is crazy sometimes. We knew a few months ago we had a lead of some distance but anything is possible - so only now is the moment we really feel we are champions."
This success comes on the back of the announcement last week of club captain John Terry as the PFA Player of the Year, and Chelsea are also still very much in the running for the Champions League having played the first leg of their semi-final against Liverpool in a game which ended up 0-0.
This has been an incredible season for the London Club and Emirates is very proud of its association with Chelsea and congratulates them on such a wonderful achievement.
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Contact:
Daniel Ford, Emirates' Media Relations
Tel: (+9714) 203 2165; Mob: (+97150) 652 1373;
Email: daniel.ford@emirates.com
Visit: www.emirates.com
© Press Release 2005
