Boehly vs the veterans: inside Chelsea's bust-up
Evening Standard|February 08, 2024
The planned expansion of Stamford Bridge has enraged residents in London's richest borough and leaves former soldiers facing eviction. So what’s really going on? Robbie Griffiths reports
Boehly vs the veterans: inside Chelsea's bust-up

WE'VE been deployed as armed forces overseas, to defend whatever we needed to defend," says Tony McNally, who did 15 years in the Scots Guards. "But who is defending us?" McNally, 67, is the leader of a group of veterans who live at the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions, and who now fear homelessness after the building their community has been in for more than 100 years was sold to Chelsea Football Club for redevelopment last October.

The row is another headache for Chelsea under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. They bought the club for £4.25 billion in May 2022, leading to several bust-ups with neighbours.

David Knight, 48, who served in Bosnia, proudly gives a tour of the first-floor Stoll flat he's been in for three years. It has a photograph remembering his infantry training on the wall, and a view of Stamford Bridge out of the window.

He has been homeless before, and breaks down as he talks about the idea of losing his house again.

Knight says he feels safe at Stoll. "We live a posh area. They're not going to be able to rehouse 130 people in the borough - if they do it's a miracle," he says.

The Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions was established in 1915 to provide homes for soldiers returning from war. Most of its 157 flats are home to dozens of veterans, who served around the world.

Last year, Chelsea had a reported £80 million bid accepted for the site, meaning only 20 of the flats will remain.

The other veterans will be moved to other sites, but they don't yet know where. In a residents' survey, 92 percent said they were against the sale.

Andy Daniels, 62, who was in the Royal Green Jackets and suffers from PTSD and anxiety, says he fears being moved to a hostel.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 08, 2024-Ausgabe von Evening Standard.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 08, 2024-Ausgabe von Evening Standard.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS EVENING STANDARDAlle anzeigen
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
The London Standard

Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?

Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
The London Standard

He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world

This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
The London Standard

How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining

After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
Money is worth less than time'
The London Standard

Money is worth less than time'

He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
London's Roman Amphitheatre
The London Standard

London's Roman Amphitheatre

Guildhall Yard, EC2V

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
The London Standard

Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere

There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
Do we have to die?
The London Standard

Do we have to die?

One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
The London Standard

How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh

From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
London's best festive restaurants
The London Standard

London's best festive restaurants

The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024
Rag'n'Bone Man
The London Standard

Rag'n'Bone Man

I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'

time-read
6 Minuten  |
November 14, 2024