Ken Bates established the Chelsea Pitch Owners group to protect Stamford Bridge.
Twenty five years on, the fans still have the final say on their stadium but it could be the biggest obstacle in any potential sale.
Former Chelsea chairman Bates established the CPO in 1997 at a time when the Stamford Bridge site was worth far more than the club and property developers were desperate to get their hands on it.
They had nearly done so previously and Bates was determined never to let it happen again while the CPO were given the freehold, turnstiles and the pitch before they granted a 199-year lease back to the club in exchange for peppercorn rent.
It meant the CPO group had the final say when Roman Abramovich tried to buy back the freehold in 2012 as part of his plans for a new stadium.
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Chelsea owner Abramovich looked at expanding the 42,000 capacity stadium or moving elsewhere - including ambitious plans at Battersea Power Station - and needed their co-operation.
This was not an ugly fans vs distant owner dispute. Chelsea fans respect Abramovich but still remained nervous about what would happen if, one day, he sold up.
Now that day is here and the CPO scheme and their decision not to sell their stake looks a very shrewd one.
Abramovich had to put his stadium plans on hold even though the wisdom in football suggests that you need a bigger stadium than 42,000 to compete with the likes of Manchester United on a self-sustaining model.
And any new owner would inherit a similar problem but they would also be buying a club… with the stadium not included.
Abramovich’s hopes of a quick Chelsea sale appear unlikely with the ground among several factors complicating a swift handover of power.
The Russian oligarch bought the Blues in 2003, winning every trophy available under his stewardship, including five Premier League titles and two Champions League titles.
But his association with one of England's largest clubs has been scrutinised in the wake of compatriot Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine last week.
Putin has ties with Abramovich and European Parliament president Roberta Metsola declared he and his fellow oligarchs should not be able to "hide behind a veneer of respectability" by owning sports clubs and other foreign assets.
Hansjorg Wyss, a Swiss billionaire, is said to be one of the parties in the mix to buy the current Champions League holders and claimed Abramovich is looking for a quick sale due to concerns over potential sanctions.
Wyss told Blick: "Like all other oligarchs, he is also in a panic. Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly.
"I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.”
Although Wyss added that Abramovich is currently asking for “far too much” from potential buyers.
