Chelsea news: Opinion – Fan view on Conference League victory

It has been pretty difficult to get excited about the Conference League this season.

A competition that is vaguely embarrassing to be in for a team of our size with our very presence in it merely a reminder of previous mistakes and bad results last season that stopped us qualifying for a bigger tournament.

The colossal disparity in budget and quality between us and teams we have faced has only served to reinforce that feeling. At times, it has felt like being forced to join in a running race against some eight-year-olds at a school sports day – losing would be terribly embarrassing, but winning only slightly less so.

That being said, facing a proper team in the final – and even being played off the park by them in the first half – made winning the game and lifting the trophy much more enjoyable in the end. Finally, some real competition and some real jeopardy.

Much has been made of the potential benefits to this team of winning a first trophy together, and watching the players and staff celebrate last night it clear that it could be very significant.

This experience will bring them together, while silverware validates this new project somewhat and gives Enzo Maresca and his staff a concrete achievement to hang onto.

The Champions League will be a far more severe test with harsher lessons to learn. At least now, this squad enter it with positive memories and experiences, as well as practice in managing the demands of playing twice a week and travelling across the continent.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News