VETERANS have slammed plans to kick them out of their homes so Chelsea FC can expand its stadium.

       Those living in Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions in Fulham, London, say they'll refuse to leave if given their marching orders.

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       Veterans live in the shadow of Stamford Bridge Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9

       Those living in Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions in Fulham, London, say they'll refuse to leave if given their marching orders Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9

       One of the youngest veterans, former army man Matthew Bignell, 36, told Sun Online he would refuse to leave if the deal goes ahead Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

       The military pensioners are furious over a potential deal that could see Chelsea purchase the 1.2-acre area of land for ￡50m.

       It comes amid its ￡2billion planned expansion.

       But it means the 100 veterans and war widows living inside the 1915 block will have to be rehoused - something many are fighting.

       One of the youngest veterans, former army man Matthew Bignell, 36, told Sun Online he would refuse to leave if the deal goes ahead.

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       He added: "People here won't leave. They’ll have to be taken to court and get eviction notices.

       "I’m in a position where I can physically and financially afford to leave but I probably won’t to try and show support for the other tenants."

       Most of the tenants are over the age of 60, with some claiming they won't be able to physically manage moving out.

       Alan Parmenter, 67, who served in the army between 1971 and 2004, is "absolutely disgusted" by the plans.

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       He said: "We've done nothing wrong. There's a lady across the way who is 94. It'll kill them.

       "I can't physically move out. The lift doesn't work. I'm not going to be able to move anything."

       He added that he just wants "a peaceful life" and is too old to move.

       Colin Tiso, 57, suffers such severe PTSD from his time fighting in the first Gulf War he can't leave his one-bed flat.

       He added: " Because of my PTSD I struggle to leave my flat and I'm getting treatment for that. My anxiety is overwhelming. Whenever I get the newsletters with information about the plans I completely shut down. For me as an army veteran I'm scared.

       "Leaving the flat terrifies me. If I can't leave the flat then moving is going to be traumatic."

       Another tenant, Neil Ingram, 62, said it felt "like a tsunami coming our way".

       He added that the ￡7,800 the tenants will get in statutory home loss payment is "not a lot of money".

       He added: "I'm concerned. It feels like a tsunami coming our way. It's not a lot of money but some people are happy with that."

       Mark McFadden, who spent 17 years in the army, said residents "don't know when we're leaving" and "don't know where to go".

       Fred Weatherby, 57, was in the forces for 14 years.

       He said none of the residents in the blocks want to leave and the consultation "makes us feel sick".

       He added: "We're the ones suffering. No one wants to leave. We've been here over ten years. This is our home. We have PTSD and this is supposed to have been forever. We weren't supposed to leave."

       Mr Weatherby said "most people want to stay", and blasted the "ridiculous" consultation.

       War widow Violet Jones, 79, echoed the frustration.

       She said: "It's wrong. I've been here 14 years. They should never touch people who've been in war. My husband was in WW2. It's terrible what's going on. These people can't cope."

       Neil McKenna, 38, added: "We don't know what's happening. It's all up in the air, it's like living under a cloud."

       Sean Kennedy, 51, moved into the block of flats in 2013 and said the consultation is "a community being broken".

       He's a Royal Air Force veteran after three years of service in the 1990s.

       He said: "I'm autistic. It's taken me a long time to build up a sense of community here. Now I take a housebound lady out in her wheelchair at the weekends.

       "It took me a long time to get to the point where I can take my neighbour out.

       "So to have that taken away again is devastating. I'll have to start again from scratch. It'll impact my quality of life.

       "They're abolishing the whole community. I'm going to be forced out. It's totally out of order and really sad.

       "Just suddenly to dismantle a whole community and leave us disjointed and moving to other places is really unfair.

       "A home is a heart, it's where we can rest.

       "It's caused me a lot of stress and personal anguish. I think there will be a fight at some point. We don't know how that will take place. People might refuse to move from their flats.

       "Eventually police will get involved. It would be nice if something happens before it gets to that stage."

       The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, set up to support veterans returning from the First World War, provides ex-service men and women, and their spouses, with a home.

       The Fulham mansions is the original site Sir Oswald, a successful theatre magnate, donated to house veterans in 1916.

       Since then the charity has expanded to sites in Acton, Hounslow, Chiswick and Aldershot, Surrey.

       The charity, which listed its "comprehensive income" at ￡597,000 in 2022, now claims it doesn't have enough funds to refurbish the Fulham site "to necessary Government housing standards".

       It would cost "a minimum of ￡10million, funds the charity simply does not currently have", according to consultation documentation.

       It added: "The overall thermal efficiency and insulation of properties in Fulham is often very poor, many tenants complain of their homes being cold and say they are unable to afford their heating bills."

       It is now deciding whether to sell the "majority of its Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions site".

       This spring Stoll’s Board of Trustees made a "decision in principle

       and subject to resident consultation, to sell the majority of

       the Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions site, to the Chelsea FC ownership group".

       The consultation ended on September 21.

       Meanwhile, Will Campbell-Wroe, the charity's CEO, is paid between ￡80,000 and ￡90,000, according to its latest accounts.

       Three other members of staff at the charity earn between ￡60,000 and ￡70,000.

       Mr Campbell-Wroe, said: "We have made the case for why the land has been put up for sale very clear to all our residents and continue to update them regularly.

       "Many of the buildings on our Fulham site were built over a century ago. Refurbishing the site to ensure it meets necessary government housing standards, and that the properties are comfortable homes for our residents, would cost a minimum of ￡10 million.

       "These are funds which the charity simply does not currently have. The proposed sale would enable us to continue supporting veterans for generations to come, establish new properties with higher quality accommodation, and secure Stoll’s long-term financial sustainability.

       "We appreciate this is a time of anxiety for our residents, and we have a robust support programme in place which is tailored for each resident, to help them through this process should the sale proceed. As a veterans charity, we fully understand the impact this will have on some residents including those living with PTSD.

       "As a result, we have enhanced our support services, with many residents receiving regular, one to one support from our staff. If the sale goes ahead, no resident would have to leave their home straight away, and our support services team will work with every resident to help them find new accommodation that is right for them."

       Final approval on Chelsea FC's bid cannot be offered until after the consultation period ends.

       And the club has promised not to take possession of it until 2025 at the earliest.

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       There are currently no planning applications to develop Stamford Bridge.

       Chelsea FC declined to comment.

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       Sean Kennedy, 51, moved into the block of flats in 2013. He's a Royal Air Force veteran after three years of service in the 1990s Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9

       Colin Tiso, 57, suffers such severe PTSD from his time fighting in the first Gulf War he can't leave his one-bed flat Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9

       War widow Violet Jones, 79, echoed the frustration Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9

       Will Campbell-Wroe, the charity's CEO, is paid between ￡80,000 and ￡90,000, according to its latest accounts Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 9

       Another tenant, Neil Ingram, 62, said it felt 'like a tsunami coming our way' Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd