Statement from the Chelsea Supporters Trust:

Last week, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust stated that the Ricketts family must urgently and publicly address supporter concerns – especially with regard to inclusivity, given both past and recent statements by members of the family. We also committed to surveying our members as to their confidence and support in the Ricketts family’s bid for Chelsea FC.

Yesterday (1 April) we conducted a snap survey of our membership. We asked our membership whether, based on information in the public domain as of 1 April, they had confidence that the Ricketts family would run an inclusive and successful club, and we asked whether they supported the Ricketts family’s bid. Our members have given a clear message in this regard.

72% of those who responded do not currently have confidence that the Ricketts family would run an inclusive and successful club, with 5% of respondents believing they would.

Similarly, 77% of members who responded do not support the Ricketts family's bid for Chelsea FC and 3% of respondents are in support.

It is essential that the new owners of Chelsea FC have the confidence of the supporter base and demonstrate an understanding of the values that we stand for. At present, it is clear that our membership neither supports nor has confidence in the Ricketts family’s bid for the club. This is reflective of wider concerns articulated by large, vocal sections of Chelsea’s supporter base.

The CST Board is guided by our membership, and thus we do not currently believe it is in the best interests of our members for the Ricketts family's bid to succeed.

We await further public detail from the Ricketts family on concrete steps they will take to address the well-documented concerns of Chelsea supporters. Should the Ricketts publicly set out clear and detailed plans on how they will address support concerns, we may survey our members again in the next week.

 

Arrived just after 1pm at the bridge. Demonstration was only about 30 strong if that.

How did the protest go? 

 

Edited April 2, 20224 yr by CFCCAN

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/4/2/23007474/ricketts-bid-for-chelsea-gets-murkier-with-unknown-party-as-actual-controlling-stake

Ricketts not the controlling stake of their bid? Would involve no debut, only straight cash sale, no loans?

Hmm...

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12581061/chelsea-fc-sale-cleveland-cavaliers-owners-rock-entertainment-group-reg-join-ricketts-and-griffin-bid-team

Ricketts bid strengthened. Sounds like they have by far the most cash of the 4 bidders.

This topic dropped down the page, does no one care anymore. It was only Brentford. 

Ricketts promises to Chelsea fans

 

1. Make no change to the club’s name, badge and crest, or Chelsea blue, without the consent of supporters.

2. Never participate in a European Super League and always protect the integrity and heritage of Chelsea F.C.

3. Commit the resources necessary across all levels of the club to continue winning trophies, including investing in the first team, experienced football leadership and the Academy.

4. Put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club and fight against any form of discrimination or inequality.

5. Create an Advisory Committee with diverse representation to ensure our decisions are informed by: a former men’s and women’s first team player, members of the CST and Chelsea Pitch Owners, and influential community leaders.

6. Explore every option to redevelop Stamford Bridge and do everything in our power to keep playing in this historic stadium.

7. Match the current commitment to Chelsea F.C. Women and increase the number of women’s matches played at Stamford Bridge.

8. Continue the vital charitable work of the Chelsea Foundation, seeking to use the power of football and sport to motivate, educate and inspire. 

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12581442/chelsea-sale-ricketts-family-promises-no-european-super-league-diversity-to-be-a-priority-and-stamford-bridge-upgrade-plans

Have to say is impressive speech. If they can fulfill that they sound like good owner material, and certainly have the money behind them.

On 02/04/2022 at 10:21, Munkworth said:

 

Messiah complex, turned out awkwardly at Villa one year when he tried to stop a pitch invasion and got hoisted up in the air as fans ran around the pitch with Ken Bates on their shoulders. Not sure how he got rescued, was early 90s so no photo coverage.

Sill he certainly put us back on the football map with a few bumps along the way.  

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

Ricketts promises to Chelsea fans

 

1. Make no change to the club’s name, badge and crest, or Chelsea blue, without the consent of supporters.

2. Never participate in a European Super League and always protect the integrity and heritage of Chelsea F.C.

3. Commit the resources necessary across all levels of the club to continue winning trophies, including investing in the first team, experienced football leadership and the Academy.

4. Put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club and fight against any form of discrimination or inequality.

5. Create an Advisory Committee with diverse representation to ensure our decisions are informed by: a former men’s and women’s first team player, members of the CST and Chelsea Pitch Owners, and influential community leaders.

6. Explore every option to redevelop Stamford Bridge and do everything in our power to keep playing in this historic stadium.

7. Match the current commitment to Chelsea F.C. Women and increase the number of women’s matches played at Stamford Bridge.

8. Continue the vital charitable work of the Chelsea Foundation, seeking to use the power of football and sport to motivate, educate and inspire. 

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12581442/chelsea-sale-ricketts-family-promises-no-european-super-league-diversity-to-be-a-priority-and-stamford-bridge-upgrade-plans

Have to say is impressive speech. If they can fulfill that they sound like good owner material, and certainly have the money behind them.

Of course their going to say all this, they have a designated PR team as they have repeatedly got themselves in trouble over the years. The family are looney hardcore Republicans and they know what their doing.

The history of Islamophobic comments (currently 5  of our first team players are muslim), racist (anti black and asian comments) and misogynistic comments from various members of the family aside it does worry me they are hated and despised by the Chicago Cubs fanbase. Theres a reason for that.

The last thing we need are owners who will constantly be in the headlines for the wrong reasons which will overshadow and mire any on field achievements. 

 

28 minutes ago, Vialli96 said:

Of course their going to say all this, they have a designated PR team as they have repeatedly got themselves in trouble over the years. The family are looney hardcore Republicans and they know what their doing.

The history of Islamophobic comments (currently 5  of our first team players are muslim), racist (anti black and asian comments) and misogynistic comments from various members of the family aside it does worry me they are hated and despised by the Chicago Cubs fanbase. Theres a reason for that.

The last thing we need are owners who will constantly be in the headlines for the wrong reasons which will overshadow and mire any on field achievements. 

 

If you listen to the london is blue podcasts last episode with Matt Law that is not true. Not all of them are hc republicans nor known for rash comments. However there is too much of that noise anyway to make them a risky owner from anyone's viewpoints.

27 minutes ago, evissy said:

If you listen to the london is blue podcasts last episode with Matt Law that is not true. Not all of them are hc republicans nor known for rash comments. However there is too much of that noise anyway to make them a risky owner from anyone's viewpoints.

Meh Roman has been hated long before the war by rival fans and the media simply because he was so private and that he helped make us a competitive side on the top stage.

Having the Ricketts would simply go from one hated owner to another, only they are Americans and therefore British allies so no fears over similar treatment to what Roman got.

59 minutes ago, Vialli96 said:

Of course their going to say all this, they have a designated PR team as they have repeatedly got themselves in trouble over the years. The family are looney hardcore Republicans and they know what their doing.

The history of Islamophobic comments (currently 5  of our first team players are muslim), racist (anti black and asian comments) and misogynistic comments from various members of the family aside it does worry me they are hated and despised by the Chicago Cubs fanbase. Theres a reason for that.

The last thing we need are owners who will constantly be in the headlines for the wrong reasons which will overshadow and mire any on field achievements. 

 

They start to sound like the best kind of owners that the current government and owners in the shadow (BoJo and the Eton chums Co.) could hope for.

13 minutes ago, RMH said:

They start to sound like the best kind of owners that the current government and owners in the shadow (BoJo and the Eton chums Co.) could hope for.

Gov wants them, Buck wants them, they have the most cash. Would say they are the only ones that can challange BwG. Other 2 bids have no hope imo.

18 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Gov wants them, Buck wants them, they have the most cash. Would say they are the only ones that can challange BwG. Other 2 bids have no hope imo.

Yeah, but are they the best for Chelsea or are they going to take us down the ManU lane? I’d have been happy with the Saudis tbh, dodgy as any other of the bidders but with sh*t more load of money than any others, no matter what they say, and would have kept our status as the most hated team by the gov, media and other fans. While you’re sure that the Saudis will keep pumping money into the team like they do for City and PSG and will do with Newcastle, because they don’t do this for business but for good PR, the Americans will get into it for business and earning money.

19 minutes ago, RMH said:

Yeah, but are they the best for Chelsea or are they going to take us down the ManU lane? I’d have been happy with the Saudis tbh, dodgy as any other of the bidders but with sh*t more load of money than any others, no matter what they say, and would have kept our status as the most hated team by the gov, media and other fans. While you’re sure that the Saudis will keep pumping money into the team like they do for City and PSG and will do with Newcastle, because they don’t do this for business but for good PR, the Americans will get into it for business and earning money.

Any of the 4 will run us as business first, sports team second.

27 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Any of the 4 will run us as business first, sports team second.

They got a shock coming then.

6 minutes ago, coco said:

They got a shock coming then.

Aye. I expect is like Arsenal. They will see the need for a bigger stadium and look for top 4 and CL money to make money. 

I expect the bridge gets discarded and we go somewhere like Earls court for a fraction of redevelopment costs, maybe even use government contacts to get some grants like City and west ham did with their stadiums.

Ricketts 8 point plan is all PR spin. Sounds great but there’s a lack of detail in it. Vague statements designed to make them sound like super owners. 
 

In fact, all of the new owners promises are not worth it. It’s what they do when they’re here that matters. We just have to hope that the club can choose the right owners. 

7 hours ago, Kev56 said:

This topic dropped down the page, does no one care anymore. It was only Brentford. 

I do, carry on like this and we'll be out of the top 4 in 2 weeks

I don't see any of the fan base being happy with any of the prospective owners...people are saying yeah BWG are the best...but apart from Todd, what do we  know of the other members of his consortium? 

To me, they all want to make money, it's business...Roman was a one of a kind owner and was first and foremost a fan....he could of not given us the loans and where would we be now? In a position without a world class squad and languishing in mid table...

We are lucky there are  4 separate bids and whoever comes in the fans need to support them and give them a fair crack...if they make a hash of it then fair enough get on their backs and protest.

I personally, couldn't give a toss about previous comments made by members of the family. I care about Chelsea and what's best for the club and I won't be judgemental in my views just because the media and some of the fan base are jumping on the bandwagon and protesting before a new owner is even through the door.

A fan base protesting about a family and some of the historical comments, the same fan base singing abramovich's name during the stand up for Ukraine at Norwich... Smacks of ignorance and double standards. Like I say all I care for is the future of our club.

I'm sure there are sale stipulations within the contract that the new owners have to legally agree to, I can't see Roman signing over the club to someone that doesn't want to be successful and keep the team on top and the club at the forefront of equality and Diversity.

2 hours ago, Trueblue76 said:

I don't see any of the fan base being happy with any of the prospective owners...people are saying yeah BWG are the best...but apart from Todd, what do we  know of the other members of his consortium? 

To me, they all want to make money, it's business...Roman was a one of a kind owner and was first and foremost a fan....he could of not given us the loans and where would we be now? In a position without a world class squad and languishing in mid table...

We are lucky there are  4 separate bids and whoever comes in the fans need to support them and give them a fair crack...if they make a hash of it then fair enough get on their backs and protest.

I personally, couldn't give a toss about previous comments made by members of the family. I care about Chelsea and what's best for the club and I won't be judgemental in my views just because the media and some of the fan base are jumping on the bandwagon and protesting before a new owner is even through the door.

A fan base protesting about a family and some of the historical comments, the same fan base singing abramovich's name during the stand up for Ukraine at Norwich... Smacks of ignorance and double standards. Like I say all I care for is the future of our club.

I'm sure there are sale stipulations within the contract that the new owners have to legally agree to, I can't see Roman signing over the club to someone that doesn't want to be successful and keep the team on top and the club at the forefront of equality and Diversity.

Not happy because the owner we want and have we cannot keep.

10 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Aye. I expect is like Arsenal. They will see the need for a bigger stadium and look for top 4 and CL money to make money. 

I expect the bridge gets discarded and we go somewhere like Earls court for a fraction of redevelopment costs, maybe even use government contacts to get some grants like City and west ham did with their stadiums.

Easier said than done. Even Roman with all the goodwill in the world could not persuade the CPO to get enough votes. I agree with the CPO stance on this both then and now.

Edited April 4, 20224 yr by TokyoBlue

Such a shame the whole sorry mess. Should hate to see Chelsea supporters falling out with each other over who should be the next owners. It could be a lot worse, we could have been shut down, point deduction or relegated etc. Also it’s good to have several billion pound offers on the table, what if there had just been a token gesture ?

I really don’t know who is the best fit but I can’t understand the vitriolic abuse to the Rickets bid, they are the only ones who have come out publicly and stated their intentions, which seem perfectly acceptable. But what do I know. 
What i do know this whole debacle is a f**king nightmare. 

Of course they need to make money. I think Roman has made a ton of money of Chelsea but probably not directly. Chelsea gave him status of some sort in the circles he is in I would only imagine. If you set up a business you are required to make money or go even steven. That is in the laws of business. First team football in Chelsea is major part of the front of the club so that is why you have to take a good care of it. It is the front of the business, why the money flows in.

In America they have done everything to get fans/customers included in the story so that the lean years on the pitch would't hurt the revenues. This is in the American sports culture very deeply. People buy the stuff, tickets and consume everything on matchday even if the team is rubbish. Not in every region naturally but with the clubs with a bit of history. 

Doing well on the pitch helps massively. What we have done in the past 20 years on the pitch has made us this mega-power in football. We are looking to be a global team, not just the local Fulham-road side. I think the likes of Boehly know this very well. Global sides need to make those big transfers, shuffle the pack, go big and always look to win everything there is. This is in the dna of Barcelona, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and being instilled in the likes of City and PSG. Arsenal and Tottenham are not in this group in any way. Just had to slip that into this conversation seemlessly.

Anyway I think with Boehly we'd be safest from the tiny amount of information we have on these consortiums. I could't care less if one of them is a Spurs-fan. That kind of thing blows over in a year. He is there to do business and that is in his mind more than the local rival.