Nick Candy would ‘advocate for’ Chelsea fan golden share, if chosen as new owner
We’ve heard directly or indirectly from two of the leading bidders for Chelsea Football Club over the weekend, with the Telegraph running a big profile on Todd Boehly and Goal getting the inside info from Saudi Media. We also got news of Sir Martin Broughton potentially joining, either with his own bid or someone else’s — or perhaps just as a representative of the government to help oversee a smooth and legal transition. Other players remain in the game as well, possibly as many as 20, with at least a handful of serious ones in what is expected to be a deal around £2-2.5b.
One of those seems to be Chelsea fan and property developer Nick Candy, who, like Sir Broughton, might end up joining someone else’s group rather than lead his own effort. But should he end up in a position power, he claims that he would not only lead a stadium redevelopment effort (a common promise among all the candidates) but would “advocate for” better fan representation at the upper levels of the club.
“Mr Candy cares hugely about the future of the club and believes that the fans and the community are central to its continued success. Should his bid be successful, Mr Candy would advocate for a fan representative to join the board so supporters become part of the decision-making process.”
-Nick Candy spokesperson; source: Sky
The idea of a “golden share” for fans has started to gain a bit of momentum over the past year, thanks in part to the failed (for now) European Super League and the subsequent efforts of MP Tracey Crouch. Essentially, it would give fans the power to help decide or veto certain decisions made by the club, such as moving the club, changing badges or colors, even appointing directors in some cases, and so on — things related mostly to club history and heritage more so than the day-to-day operations.
It’s fan “involvement” rather than (majority) fan “ownership”, but it’s official and meaningful, not just a token gesture or infrequent consultation.
Brentford are the only club in the Premier League currently implementing a golden share. Wycombe Wanderers Trust also have a golden share, and there may be a few others further down the pyramid.
Chelsea Supporters’ Trust have been actively calling on anyone who’d listen to implement a golden share. This time of uncertainty and transition is certainly as good a time as any to let us fans reclaim a bit more actual ownership of our club.
You can join the CST here. It’s only £5 per year. (Not the same as Chelsea Pitch Owners, whom you can and also should join here.)
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙎𝙏 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 & 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨.
There has never been a more important time to get behind our 𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙨 & 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 in any sale of #CFC.#TrustInOurFuture
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— Chelsea Supporters’ Trust⭐️⭐️ (@ChelseaSTrust) March 12, 2022
