Chelsea list of Stamford Bridge freeholders included dead fans

12 October 2011 15:03
A Chelsea fans group is concerned that information supplied by the club is hindering their efforts at blocking the proposed move away from Stamford Bridge. [LNB] 'Say No CPO' is campaigning to reject the club's offer to buy back the freehold of Stamford Bridge from Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) at a vote on 27 October. [LNB] The group had asked Chelsea for a CPO shareholders' register to help drum up support for their cause but received back a list so out-of-date that it contained fans who are now dead - including former Labour minister for sport, Tony Banks, according to the Independent. [LNB] Home sweet home: Chelsea have played at Stamford Bridge for 106 years[LNB] Banks was made chairman of CPO at its inception in 1993 but passed away in January 2006. Other high-profile members include Dennis Wise and former Tory MP David Mellor. [LNB]Say No CPO is worried that there could be many other names on the list that are of deceased fans. [LNB]As they are trying to contact as many shareholders as possible before the vote, the group is concerned their attempts at gaining support are being undermined by the poor quality of information in the 600-page document. [LNB]Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, meanwhile, splashed out ?10,000 on 100 shares in April which will give him the maximum 100 votes. s are still available for ?100 each plus a small administration fee. [LNB] The club also maintain that it is the responsibility of CPO directors to keep the list up to date. [LNB]Chelsea are planning to leave their home of 106 years to a site within a three-mile radius to maximise gate receipts. Stamford Bridge's capacity of 41,837 lags way behind the likes of Old Trafford and the Emirates Stadium and is only the 60th-largest football stadium in Europe. [LNB]Sites at Earls Court, White City and Nine Elms have been identified but the club fears these sites will have been purchased by rival bidders by 2020.[LNB]That worry has fueled their desire to purchase the freehold to Stamford Bridge back from CPO so that the club can move quickly away from their current ground when the time comes.[LNB] Life-long fan: The late former sports minister Tony Banks in 1997[LNB]Without the freehold Chelsea would not be able to sell Stamford Bridge, which is vital in helping to finance the stadium move.     [LNB]Say No CPO have also denied planning a formal protest at Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Everton.[LNB]The group plan to distribute 10,000 leaflets before this weekend's Everton match, which is being broadcast by Sky Sports. But they insisted that they had no intention of disrupting the game, claiming they were only seeking to raise awareness of their cause.[LNB]A spokesperson said: 'We've got 10,000 leaflets printed out and they'll be handed out at local pubs and around the ground, not on Stamford Bridge property.[LNB]'We're not trying to disrupt the game. There's no rally, there's no protest - we're just trying to get our point of view across to as many shareholders as possible.[LNB] Success now: But Chelsea fear for their future without a bigger stadium[LNB]'A lot of them haven't received the literature or documentation from CPO, so we just want them to be aware of the vote, our website and the argument we have for them to vote no.'[LNB]The leaflet being distributed this weekend has 'Say No CPO' printed in large letters on one side, with a message on the other that can also be found on the group's website: 'The NO vote needs your help to ensure that the ordinary fan maintains a voice.[LNB]'If we lose this battle, the club can relocate ANYWHERE without any consultation with supporters.[LNB]'If CPO shareholders vote NO they will maintain the right to be consulted in the future of the club - whether that be at Stamford Bridge or a new location. [LNB]'A NO vote is a vote for consultation on what is best for Chelsea FC in the long term.[LNB] Future thinking: Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich[LNB]'CPO was created to protect Chelsea Football Club. This is as relevant today as when it was founded.'[LNB]Members the 'Say No CPO' campaign have offered to act as proxy for anyone who cannot make the EGM and would like to vote no.[LNB]But they fear their cause will be hampered by the fact that a third of the CPO's 12,000 shareholders may not have received any literature about the meeting.[LNB]The spokesperson added: 'There are around 4,000 shareholders on the list who don't have an address next to their name. It's really important we get to them some way.[LNB]'If 4,000 people out of 15,000 can't vote, it's pretty damning.'[LNB]The club need 75 per cent of those attending this month's meeting or voting by proxy to back their proposal.[LNB] Olympic Stadium road still clear for Hammers, insists London Mayor JohnsonKop TV storm! Liverpool want to cash in with breakaway from Premier League rightsArsenal and Liverpool plotting January swoop for Chelsea's KalouAll the latest Chelsea FC news, features and opinion[LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail