John
Terry will attempt to protect Chelsea's "history and heritage" by joining
the True Blues Consortium aimed at handing supporters a 10 per cent
ownership in the Stamford Bridge club.
Former Chelsea captain Terry has backed the True Blues Consortium's bold
plans to levy funds to buy a stake in Chelsea through a community offering.
Chelsea fans would be able to buy into the set-up from as little as £100,
with the True Blues Consortium aiming to work with the club's eventual new
owners on buying a share in the club.
Terry and former Chelsea women's player Claire Rafferty have put their names
to the consortium, with True Blues chiefs having made contact with Raine
Group, the bank overseeing Chelsea's sale.
Chelsea Pitch Owners, who own the Stamford Bridge freehold, and the Chelsea
Supporters' Trust have backed the plan in principle.
The True Blues Consortium would elect one representative to sit on Chelsea's
board and decorated former skipper Terry has been impressed with the
ambitious plans.
"I want to see the club's history and heritage protected as we go into a new
era with like-minded people who have the same long-term vision of building
the best football club in the world and understand how important our DNA is.
"Having met with and heard what the True Blues Consortium is about, I know
they understand. They're a group of lifelong Chelsea fans and season ticket
holders who have created a concept that will complement and assist any
preferred bidder running the club while adding fan connection and engagement
with the board.
"This innovative structure is designed to be inclusive of all Chelsea fans
and protect our club.
"I'm thankful for the Chelsea Pitch Owners and Chelsea Supporters' Trust's
time and support on this and we hope we will be welcome investors into the
club's new structure."
Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on March 2 amid Russia's invasion
of Ukraine. The Russian-Israeli billionaire was sanctioned by the UK
Government last week, with Downing Street claiming to have proven his links
to Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich's UK assets are all frozen barring Chelsea, with the Blues
operating under strict Government licence.
Raine Group's deadline for bids to buy Chelsea passed on Friday night, with
a host of serious parties lodging their candidacy.
Saudi Media Group also met the deadline, with more bids also understood to
have been lodged.
The True Blues Consortium would launch a community offering platform called
the CFC Exchange, run by PrimaryBid, to allow fans to buy into the scheme.
Investment group Oakvale Capital has backed the True Blues scheme,
underpinning the finances.
"We are united not only in our desire to ensure a bright future for Chelsea
FC, but also in our ability to put this plan into action," said Oakvale
Capital partner Sandford Loudon.
"We're a group of seasoned tech entrepreneurs, financiers, high-net-worth
individuals and most importantly lifelong fans, who want to make sure
whoever buys Chelsea is held accountable by Chelsea fans.
"We will work with both the sellers and the Government, as well as the
bidders, to guarantee that fans have a say."
A spokesperson from Chelsea Pitch Owners added: "Chelsea Pitch Owners
supports the True Blues plan in principle in that it looks to offer Chelsea
fans a greater voice in how the club is run, subject to seeing the final
proposals in more detail.
"CPO remains committed to ensuring the future of football at Stamford Bridge
and appreciates True Blues' support of CPO's call for its loan with Chelsea
FC to be written off."
And a spokesperson for the Chelsea Supporters' Trust said: "The CST has been
clear that the best outcome for Chelsea supporters is for new owners to
protect Chelsea's heritage by giving fans a golden share.
"Subject to further detail, the CST supports in principle the fundamental
aim of the True Blues consortium, which is to give fans a greater say in how
the club is run. We welcome further dialogue with True Blues as things
develop over the next days and weeks."
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