Chelsea lose stadium battle
Published 15:24 27/10/11 By Mike Walters
Roman Abramovich has been given a bloody nose by Chelsea diehards who rejected his bid to buy the freehold of Stamford Bridge.
At a fractious meeting under the 106-year-old ground's West Stand, around 700 shareholders from the Chelsea Pitch Owners - who took over the freehold on a 199-year lease in 1993 - emphatically kicked Abramovich's offer into touch.
The Russian oligarch's front men, chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Ron Gourlay, were given a rough ride by fans who refused to give up their £100 shares.
Abramovich, needing 75 per cent of the vote, managed only 61 per cent while the jubilant rebels carried 38 per cent.
Buck sighed: "I'm disappointed, but we are all Chelsea fans so let's get together on Saturday and beat the crap out of Arsenal."
Abramovich is looking to Stamford Bridge because the current 41,800 capacity is restrictive - and Buck admitted the club have been eyeing up alternative sites within a three-mile radius.
