Matthew Harding is a significant and important figure in the history Chelsea Football Club after his investments into the Blues in the 1990s helped the club to scale new heights.

Much has been made of the so-called "Battle for Stamford Bridge" between Harding and former Chelsea owner, Ken Bates.

But little is known or spoken about with regard to Harding outside of this.

Who was he? What was he like? How did his friends and family see him? Through extensive conversations with those closest to him, The Blueprint is bringing to light the persona and the humanity of the man that was Matthew Harding.

In this first episode of "The Matthew Harding Tapes", we speak with David Cooper, who was Harding's confidante and lawyer who oversaw the inquest in his death following a tragic helicopter accident in October 1996.

David sheds light on Harding's various business delaings and brings us into the life of the former Chelsea vice-chairman.

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The full eight-part narrative series of The Blueprint: How Chelsea FC Changed Football will follow "The Matthew Harding Tapes" on 31 May 2023 as we tell the inside story of modern Chelsea.

The Blueprint is a HWY61 production. For more podcasts like this one, visit www.HWY61.media

Our theme music "Blue Day '23" is composed by Mike Connaris with bed arrangements by Jake Bradford-Sharp. It's used under license from Mcasso Music.