Oh reader, you didn't really think we could get to the penultimate stages of the FA Cup without a semi joke thrown in the mix did you?

This weekend sees us play our 9th Semi-Final in 16 years, and for those of you who have only just started supporting Chelsea/weren't old enough to remember/are very forgetful, here is a recap of the joy/agony these matches have supplied.

Hiddink - what a legend! ©Futbol Name

1994 - Luton - Wembley Stadium

Our first Semi-Final in 24-years saw us play an unlikely local derby against Luton, who of course at the time had the man, the legend Kerry Dixon in their line-up. Fortunately Gavin Peacock wasn't the sentimental kind and kindly dispatched Luton out of the cup with a brace. Unfortunately he couldn't hold his nerve weeks later against Manchester United, hitting the bar just before we let Man United thrash us 4-0 in the final. A match that to this day still brings back sour memories for all Chelsea fans alike.

1996 - Manchester United - Villa Park

The day that Craig Burley's credibility went out the window. Ruud Gullit's bullet header was cancelled out by Andrew "don't call me Andy" Cole, and later Beckham who only had the keeper to beat after Craig Burley's wild backpass played him through on goal.

1997 - Wimbledon - Highbury

A 3-0 drubbing of the Crazy Boys at Highbury would be the pre-cursor to Chelsea's greatest day since 1970, with goals from Gianfranco Zola and Mark Hughes we comfortably swept aside the Dons to make it to Wembley for the second time in three years. Of course overcoming the challenge of Middlesbrough with a super quick Roberto Di Matteo thunderbolt, and a bundled second from Unsteady Eddie Newton.

Gullit watches on as Joe Kinnear wonders how he got Wimbledon to the semis ©Teamtalk

2000 - Newcastle - Wembley Stadium

Another win at Wembley with another double, this time from our-then favourite Uruguayan (before he kissed the Spurs badge), Gus Poyet. His first scored in the 16th minute, but throughout the game Chelsea rode their luck as Newcastle missed chance after chance - eventually equalising through Rob Lee. Five minutes later Poyet popped up to head in his second and send Chelsea on the way to their third FA Cup win - a drab 1-0 against Villa, in the very last FA Cup Final at Wembley of old.

2002 - Fulham - Villa Park

A West London derby for 2002's FA Cup Semi, of course the best place for this to be played was the middle of the country, thus causing two sets of London fans to collide with the faithful of Arsenal (who had earlier played at Old Trafford) on a motorway laden with roadworks. You may think that it is an odd point to make about this match, but the 1-0 victory against our neighbours was equally uninspiring. John Terry headed us into the lead after 40 minutes, and it took over 5 hours for me to get home. The final saw us travel to Cardiff for yet another derby, against Arsenal, and unfortunately this time the long travel home was preceded by defeat. Arsenal winning with goals from Freddie Ljungberg and Ray Parlour after a poor 90 minutes from Chelsea.

2006 - Liverpool - Old Trafford

Our first Semi for a while, and a hopes of our first ever domestic double were cancelled out by our cup bogey-team, Liverpool. In a fairly even game, with the better chances falling to Chelsea, Liverpool eventually took the lead through goals from John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia. Didier Drogba bundled one in late on, but Joe Cole failed to finish from six-yards to take the tie to extra time. Once again Liverpool had beaten us in the cup, and another long journey home!

2007 - Blackburn - Old Trafford

A domestic cup double was on the cards with us travelling up to Old Trafford once again for this Semi-Final. A goal by Frank Lampard saw us take the lead, however a battling Blackburn equalised through Jason Roberts. The game then went to extra time when in the 109th minute up popped Herr Ballack to send us through to the FA Cup Final for the first time in five years, and the first at the new Wembley. Didier Drogba scored an extra time winner in the final to bring the trophy back to the Bridge for the fourth time in our history - and to ensure that we won the last FA Cup at the old Wembley and the first at the new Wembley (a feat surely that cannot be surpassed for at least 80-90 years!).

2009 - Arsenal - Wembley

Drogba sends Chelsea to the 2009 FA-Cup Final ©Futbol Name

With memories of 2002's Final loss long lost with the majority of that team, we faced Arsenal once again, and the prospect of grabbing our second FA Cup at the new Wembley. Also it was a chance to restore some pride in a season hindered by poor performances and the sacking of Phil Scolari. An 18th minute goal by Theo Walcott saw us 1-0 down against our London rivals. A revitalised Malouda, who it is fair to say found his form under the leadership of Guus Hiddink, equalised within 15 minutes and from there on in it was very much Chelsea on the rise. With just 6 minutes remaining of normal time Didier Drogba came to the rescue to send us through to the final - which again we won 2-1. The fifth in our history, and the fourth in the space of 12 years.