 Former Arsenal and England centre @-@ forward Ted Drake became manager in 1952 and proceeded to modernise the club . He removed the club 's Chelsea pensioner crest , improved the youth set @-@ up and training regime , rebuilt the side with shrewd signings from the lower divisions and amateur leagues , and led Chelsea to their first major trophy success – the League championship – in 1954 – 55 . The following season saw UEFA create the European Champions ' Cup , but after objections from The Football League and the FA Chelsea were persuaded to withdraw from the competition before it started . Chelsea failed to build on this success , and spent the remainder of the 1950s in mid @-@ table . Drake was dismissed in 1961 and replaced by player @-@ coach Tommy Docherty . 
