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Welcome to Zola's place! Familiar face set to greet Chelsea supporters in Swindon boozer ahead of Capital One Cup clash

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The thousands of Chelsea fans travelling to Swindon for Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie might be pleased to hear Gianfranco Zola is waiting for them. 
Well, a mural of the iconic Italian at least. 
His diminutive frame adorns the doors to a supporters club set up in this part of Wiltshire seven years ago for a group of west London expats and will, on the day of the match, host a knees up the scale of which has not been seen before. 
Blues brothers: Pub landlord John Honeyman and 'Zola' prepare to welcome Chelsea fans to Swindon
Blues brothers: Pub landlord John Honeyman and 'Zola' prepare to welcome Chelsea fans to Swindon
It is the first time since the Swindon branch was formed nearly two decades ago that Chelsea have been in town and landlord John Honeyman, 51, is expecting a bumper crowd. 
'I think around 3,000 tickets have been sold for the Chelsea end and I would hope most of them come here first,' he told MailOnline Sport. 'It will be a good drink and sing song.' 
In an annex of the Swiss Chalet pub is Zola's Bar, which houses a couple of sofas, a dart board and a collection Chelsea memorabilia. 
Blue is the colour: Our man Laurie takes a look at some of the Chelsea memorabilia at the Swiss Chalet
Blue is the colour: Our man Laurie takes a look at some of the Chelsea memorabilia at the Swiss Chalet
Blue is the colour: Our man Laurie takes a look at some of the Chelsea memorabilia at the Swiss Chalet
There is a signed shirt from the legendary player, a dozen or so caricatures of other former greats, and a replica club crest painted on the wall. Quite the welcome for journeying Blues. 
'It started up because there was a group of Chelsea supporters who moved to Swindon for the work and would individually go back up to London for matches, so they decided to get together and form a supporters club,' Honeyman explains. 
'This was originally a garage but when the smoking area came in I wanted a nice outside area for my customers. We had to name it and Zola was my favourite player so why not name it after Gianfranco. He was so good.' 
The real thing: Gianfranco Zola added two FA Cups to his medal haul during his days as a Chelsea player - the little Italian playmaker is pictured here celebrating after the 2-0 Wembley win over Middlesbrough in 1997
The real thing: Gianfranco Zola added two FA Cups to his medal haul during his days as a Chelsea player - the little Italian playmaker is pictured here celebrating after the 2-0 Wembley win over Middlesbrough in 1997
Fans' favourite: Zola joined Chelsea from Italian outift Parma in 1996 and stayed at Stamford Bridge until 2003
Fans' favourite: Zola joined Chelsea from Italian outift Parma in 1996 and stayed at Stamford Bridge until 2003
Having grown up in Swindon, Honeyman has a sweet spot for the League One side but was always attracted to the likes of Peter Osgood and Ron Harris. 
He has the video of the 1970 FA Cup final win over Leeds, who then featured Terry Cooper, father to current Swindon manager Mark. 
'I grew up as a kid seeing all these famous players, Osgood etc, so watched them a lot,' he says. 'As I grew older I started going to Stamford Bridge.' 
Next stop Swindon: Chelsea are heading for the County Ground for the third round of the League Cup
Next stop Swindon: Chelsea are heading for the County Ground for the third round of the League Cup
Irony interferes however, as Honeyman is not able to attend the match because licensing laws rule he must be present at his pub when football matches are on. 
'I'm gutted,' he says, adding: 'Chelsea should walk it and I think they will. But in cup competitions you sometimes never know, that's the beauty of football. 
'It's a shame it has to finish tonight, it would be good if there was a draw then the people of Swindon could go up to London and have a nice day.'



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