Chelsea supporters harness power of Facebook in bid to stay at Bridge
CHELSEA fans are taking to Facebook in an attempt to block moves that could pave the way for the club to leave Stamford Bridge.
The action has been sparked by the Premier League outfit’s bid to buy back the freehold on which their home of 106 years lies. Owning all parts of the land would remove a significant hurdle to moving stadiums, should the Blues find a suitable site.
But some shareholders of supporter-led group Chelsea Pitch Owners CPO, which owns the freehold, have been upset by the way Chelsea have acted.
A Facebook page entitled ‘Save the Bridge’ was established on Monday, hours after news of the plans emerged, and attracted support from hundreds of fans yesterday.
Tim Rolls, a CPO shareholder as well as a home and away season ticket holder, said supporters were planning to mobilise ahead of a vote on 27 October.
“I’ve had communications with three or four [supporters’] groups today and they are pretty clear they will vote against it,” Rolls told City PM
“There will be an organised campaign against the way it has been handled. I think we will hear a lot about ‘Say No to CPO’.”
Chelsea say they have no current plans to leave Stamford Bridge, and have committed to staying within a three-mile radius if they do move before 2020. However, they are known to have considered potential relocation sites, including Earls Court, White City and Nine Elms.