Chelsea Supporters’ Trust Criticizes Club for Removing Coach Subsidy Amidst Lavish Player Spending
In a surprising move, Chelsea Football Club has decided to withdraw the £10 coach subsidy previously offered for away games, leading to strong criticism from the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST). The CST, a vocal fan group, has condemned the decision as ‘penny-pinching’ and ‘appalling’, especially considering the club’s recent extravagant spending on players, amounting to nearly £1 billion.
The club’s announcement to eliminate the coach subsidy for away games left the CST infuriated. They pointed out that while Chelsea has been willing to shatter the British transfer record twice within a year, it is reluctant to maintain a mere £10 subsidy for fans’ travel. The CST expressed their discontent through social media, highlighting the contrast between the club’s spending in the transfer market and its reluctance to support affordable travel for supporters.
Chelsea’s expenditure has been substantial since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control from Roman Abramovich 18 months ago. Despite this, the CST feels that the club’s decision to remove the subsidy showcases a lack of consideration for fans facing financial strains. The CST emphasized that the move to axe the subsidy contradicts the promise of inclusivity made during takeover discussions last year.
Earlier, the CST had engaged in discussions with Chelsea officials about the potential removal of the coach subsidy. While the club acknowledged that they were evaluating the budget for the subsidy, they ultimately proceeded with the decision, disregarding the concerns raised by the fan group. The CST finds this decision unacceptable, particularly since it could adversely affect young and vulnerable supporters, as well as those experiencing financial challenges or requiring special assistance.
Despite the discontent, Chelsea has decided to provide coaches for selected matches for both men’s and women’s teams. The first of these coach services will be available for the match against Bournemouth on September 17th. While the original fare for the journey would be £29, the CST has agreed to contribute towards the subsidy, lowering the cost to £10 for fans.
In conclusion, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust has voiced strong objections to Chelsea Football Club’s decision to withdraw the coach subsidy for away games. The contrast between the club’s lavish spending on players and the elimination of a modest £10 subsidy has led to accusations of ‘penny-pinching’. The CST’s concerns about the impact on various segments of supporters have led to discussions and agreements to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.
