Zola Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 I have been reading a few news updates and blogs from certain Chelsea blogs regarding the Chelsea Pitch Owners, or CPO. My knowledge on this is somewhat limited, I am hoping some of you can express opinions on this. I am of the opinion, like most of you I am sure, would hate to see Chelsea move away from Stamford Bridge. However, I am also aware that the extension possibilities at the Bridge aren’t great. Whilst we obviously wouldn’t pack out a 70,000 person stadium, we would definitely be able to add to our support by at least a few thousand every now and again. The waters are somewhat muddy regarding this, there are allegations of contract cover ups and denials of ownerships etc. Could the CPO, once a group set up to protect the Chelsea identity, actually hinder the club from its continual growth?
geezer Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 Blue Celery is probably best placed to answer seeing as he is a CPO
fester Posted February 1, 2010 Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) I have been reading a few news updates and blogs from certain Chelsea blogs regarding the Chelsea Pitch Owners, or CPO.My knowledge on this is somewhat limited, I am hoping some of you can express opinions on this. I am of the opinion, like most of you I am sure, would hate to see Chelsea move away from Stamford Bridge. However, I am also aware that the extension possibilities at the Bridge aren’t great. Whilst we obviously wouldn’t pack out a 70,000 person stadium, we would definitely be able to add to our support by at least a few thousand every now and again. The waters are somewhat muddy regarding this, there are allegations of contract cover ups and denials of ownerships etc. Could the CPO, once a group set up to protect the Chelsea identity, actually hinder the club from its continual growth? I have a couple of CPO shares, and my understanding of it is this... CPO own the freehold of Stamford Bridge, which the football club lease for a peppercorn rent. As I understand it the situation is that the name Chelsea Football Club is somehow linked into all this and that Stamford Bridge can only be used by Chelsea FC for playing football (hence there were issues when there were rumours of Fulham or QPR ground sharing). Similarly I believe that if the football club moved away from Stamford Bridge they would not be able to use the name Chelsea FC. CPO certainly muddies the waters with respect to the ground issue, but as all the shareholders are (supposedly) Chelsea fans then anything in the interest of the club would surely be supported by the CPO shareholders. Edited February 1, 2010 by fester
Barry Bridges Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 Whats the deal on obtaining CPO shares?
fester Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 Whats the deal on obtaining CPO shares? Mine are from when they were first issued and we needed to secure the ground pre-Roman. I'm not totally sure what the appeal is now... However, they cost 100 quid each and can be bought through the club web-site and give you ownership of a couple of blades of grass in SW6. Mine are just outside the left hand corner of the penalty area at the MHL end.
andy Posted February 8, 2010 Posted February 8, 2010 I have two shares also and have in the past attended the annual meeting. Haven't got much mre to add than Fester.. Set up by Ken Bates when I think it was RBS tried to sell the club to developers to pay off our debts, to be fair one of Kens better ideas at the time, obviously a certain young Russian fellow has sorted this or made the pitch owners less relevant today. If he does one day decide to build a new stadium on a different site then I am not sure where it leaves us ? I know the questions has been raised by the pitch owners and there has been a reply we are not moving or there is no announcement and such like. Personally I can't see us going anywhere in the near future even against the Arse yesterday the ground was not full... we only sell out big games. The seat next to me has not been sat in for five home games now (although that might be because I stink I dont know )
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