May 17, 1997 and Roberto Di Matteo is making history by scoring one of the fastest Emirates FA Cup final goals in history as Chelsea downed Middlesbrough 2-0 at the old Wembley Stadium.
In the crowd that day is Big Zeeks – real name Ezekiel Blake – with his father, Howard, cheering on his beloved Blues.
With one sumptuous strike by the Italian, the rising UK dancehall star’s love for the world’s oldest original competition exploded into life.
“It was an absolute cracker,” Zeeks fondly recalls.
“I went with my dad as a kid. It was amazing to see the Wembley towers – it was so iconic. I used to be able to see them from my house. I can see the new Wembley now though.
“The new Wembley is a beautiful stadium too and it’s great to see Chelsea back there again.”
The 29-year-old, who earlier this month released his latest single ‘It’s A Lot of Money’, featuring E. Mak, Digge Ustle and Tinez, has been a Chelsea fan since being taken to his first match by his father – a 2-1 victory against west London rivals QPR in 1996, where Paul Furlong grabbed a late winner.
Zeeks, who hails north west London, grew up idolising the likes of Michael Duberry, John Spencer and Gavin Peacock but his true hero was Gianfranco Zola.
"I’ve been backing Chelsea for my whole life. I remember my first game – the emotions were amazing and I couldn’t wait to experience it again. We wore the orange and grey kit. It was retro,” he said.
“I used to love watching John Spencer and Gavin Peacock as well. They used to wear the baggy kit as well.
“There’s only one though and it has to be Zola. He was my sporting inspiration. He was our first special player that we had.
“We bought him in the late 1990s and he changed Chelsea. For me, it was the first major signing we made to take us to the next level.”
Chelsea head to Wembley this Sunday for a last-four showdown with Southampton, where victory would seal a fifth final at the home of the football in the last ten years.
The FA Cup will always evoke fond memories for Harlesden hitmaker and hopes a possible cup triumph will help keep manager Antonio Conte remain in charge of the Blues.
Zeeks added: “I love the FA Cup. It has such history and tradition. It would be good to win it and it’s a cup that we’re used to winning. It will be good for the season as well.
"I really want to see Antonio Conte stay another season. I think, for his sake, this is a huge competition.
“I think he deserved another chance to show what he’s made of. He brought us the title in his first season, so he definitely deserves a chance.”
Listen to Big Zeeks’ new single “It’s A Lot Of Money” on the official FA Cup Playlist
