Chelsea spent thousands of pounds on Christmas hampers to former players last month as part of the club's continued efforts to involve their stars of old.

Former Chelsea player and manager Tommy Docherty, now 88, revealed in an interview with the Mail this week that the club has been sending him a Harrods hamper worth £300 each December for several years, with the publication reporting the Blues spent more than £30,000 in total last year on the initiative.

"I left Chelsea 50 years ago and every year they send me a £300 hamper from Harrods. Champagne, red and white wine, cheese, biscuits, smoked salmon. A nice hamper," Docherty said.

Chelsea have been carrying out the initiative since 2009 for players aged 60 and over, although they reduced the age to 55 and over this season.

Christmas hampers to former players are part of the club's drive to involve footballers who previously played for Chelsea and also former managers.

Chelsea have several ways to do this, with former players such as Ron Harris and Paul Canoville employed on matchdays to entertain clients and provide tours of Stamford Bridge before kick-off.

Ex-Chelsea footballers also feature regularly on the club's TV channel as pundits while others act as club ambassadors and work within the academy, such as Carlo Cudicini.

The Blues also provide support for their former stars through a Past Players’ Trust and give ex-players and managers the chance to watch games in an executive box.

Gary Chivers, who spent five years at Chelsea between 1978 and 1983, received a Christmas hamper by Chelsea for the first time in December and told The Mail: "It's a great gesture."