Chelsea fans facing the final whistle
IT is all over for Chelsea supporters who own shares in the club. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich now controls 93% of Chelsea Village, the club's owner.
The hard core of small investors reluctant to hand over their shares has until August 26 to accept the 35p bid. The company will then delist from Aim and investors will have no public market to sell their shares.
One said 'I bought the shares because I wanted to feel involved in the club I support. It seems wrong they can be taken from me.'
To satisfy the grumbles, Abramovich says investors can keep their share certificates as a souvenir. They also get a commemorative certificate signed by players and staff.
He will remove the £75m debt burden hanging over Chelsea, which was not due to be repaid until 2007.
The Financial Services Authority is probing pre-bid share deals and ownership.
