Chelsea FC salute Chelsea Pensioners with red tribute

London - Chelsea FC are officially in the red. But no, not financially. Rather, this relates to a new Chelsea shirt launching tomorrow.

A small amount of outrage was averted at Chelsea Football Club, London's no. 1 soccer club, today as it was announced that the new Chelsea shirt, to be launched tomorrow, will feature the color red in it. Red is, in fact, anathema for most Blues (Chelsea) supporters, especially as, unlike them, their direct rivals, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all play in various shades of red. Chelsea, as the nickname "Blues" suggests, play in royal blue. Nevertheless, Chelsea have historically tended, from time to time, to include red in their official shirts anyway, not least in 1953, when Chelsea's official club badge included a red Lion, London's Evening Standard reports. Potentially upset fans were, however, finally placated when the revelation was made that the red on the shirt, which will be discreetly placed around its collar, is a tribute to the Chelsea Pensioners, the World War Two Army veterans who honor the club by gracing it with their presence on matchdays, and whose official uniform is made up of black trousers, black shoes and medals which decorate a, you guessed it, red coat. The new shirt will be available for purchase from May 6, though it can be pre-ordered from midnight, British Summer Time, tonight from the official Chelsea Megastore.