No hidden agenda, say Blues chiefs
CHELSEA directors last night blasted internet and Twitter “misinformation” in a fresh appeal for fans to sell the freehold to Stamford Bridge back to the club.
Writing in the club programme, chairman Bruce Buck, chief executive Ron Gourlay and director Eugene Tenenbaum insisted there were no “hidden agendas” in their wish to buy back the land.
“We believe there has been a lot of incorrect information spread through social media and otherwise regarding our proposal and we have tried to correct the misinformation through meetings with groups of shareholders, press briefings and information on the club website,” they wrote. “We believe we have been transparent and all our fans should rest assured there are no hidden agendas.”
Blues chiefs have offered the 12,000 shareholders in supporter-led co-operative Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) their money back and season ticket incentives at any new stadium if they sell.
But they are facing the prospect of defeat in next week’s vote after some shareholders launched a campaign, SayNoCPO — which has a strong presence on Twitter and Facebook — urging others not to accept the deal, which they fear will precipitate the club leaving its home of 106 years.
Buck, Gourlay and Tenenbaum sought to allay those concerns in their letter by insisting: “It goes without saying that a move to another site in south or west London would be our first choice.”