For what is both the spiritual home and, for many outside observers, the enduring image of Chelsea’s most passionate support, it is highly appropriate that The Shed was named by the fans themselves.

The now demolished wide expanse of curving terrace behind the goal at the south of the stadium was geographically at least, the Fulham Road End of Stamford Bridge.

But when football support across England became evermore vocal and evermore colourful as the austere 50s gave way to the swinging 60s, Chelsea’s own youthful choir, previously scattered about, chose to congregate in a partially-roofed area of that Fulham Road terrace.

With an envious eye on Liverpool’s Kop, Man United’s Stretford End, Arsenal’s North Bank and other increasingly famous and noisy ‘ends’, the call went out, via a letter in the match programme, for more Blues to join their brothers under the roof. The Shed nickname already used by some fans was to be formally adopted.

It was the cheapest viewing point, especially with a new West Stand having wiped out a huge terrace alongside one touchline, and over many decades, many new supporters were treated to their first, pulse-raising view inside Stamford Bridge on climbing up the steps at the back of The Shed, over the top and in.

Numerous new songs and chants were born beneath its sloping roof and many a new hero or goal acclaimed in front of it.

The terrace itself dated back to the birth of the Bridge as a football venue in 1905, fashioned from tube line excavations - a true London origin.

The peculiar asymmetric roof came later and had more to do with a fake hare than a round ball. Stamford Bridge once moonlighted as a greyhound track and the covering was erected by race organisers in the 1930s for bookies and punters.

The Shed terrace was by no means perfect. Much of it was uncovered, it was a distance from the pitch and behaviour was not always the best, but still there was many a heavy heart in 1994 when it was knocked down for a new all-seater stand.

Many Sheddites at that point moved to the north of the ground but in recent months, a supporter-led ‘Return to the Shed’ campaign has re-introduced some of the old noise and colour back down south.

Now The Shed has an online home – with fans across the globe welcome to join with a great Chelsea tradition.