 In 1986 , with Ken Bates now owner of the club , Chelsea 's crest was changed again as part of another attempt to modernise and because the old rampant lion badge could not be trademarked . The new badge featured a more naturalistic non @-@ heraldic lion , in white and not blue , standing over the <unk> initials . This lasted for the next 19 years , with some modifications such as the use of different colours , including red from 1987 to 1995 , and yellow from 1995 until 1999 , before the white returned . With the new ownership of Roman Abramovich , and the club 's centenary approaching , combined with demands from fans for the popular 1950s badge to be restored , it was decided that the crest should be changed again in 2005 . The new crest was officially adopted for the start of the 2005 – 06 season and marked a return to the older design , used from 1953 to 1986 , featuring a blue heraldic lion holding a staff . For the centenary season this was accompanied by the words ' 100 <unk> ' and ' <unk> 2005 – 2006 ' on the top and bottom of the crest respectively . 
