Ken Bates, the former owner and chairman of football clubs Chelsea and Leeds United, has died aged 94.
Chelsea broke the news on Saturday, announcing Bates had ‘passed away peacefully in Monaco this morning surrounded by his wife and family.’
‘It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of Ken Bates, former owner and chairman of Chelsea Football Club,’ the club statement read.
‘The club sends our heartfelt condolences to Ken’s wife Suzannah, the rest of his family and his friends.
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‘Ken’s determination to fight for Chelsea when times were tough, and drive the team on to winning trophies will never be forgotten.’
Bates bought Chelsea in 1983 for just £1, with the Blues a far cry from the football superpower it is today.
Taking on debts of £1.5million, Bates turned the club’s fortunes around, achieving promotion back to the top-flight and ensuring that they remained at their Stamford Bridge home.
Under his stewardship, Chelsea became an established Premier League team and ended their 26-year wait for a trophy when Ruud Gullit’s side won the 1997 FA Cup.
More success followed with another FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, but by the end of Bates’ era, the club were once again in huge debt.
He sold his shares to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for £140m before stepping down as chairman a year later, paving the way for the club’s most successful era.
‘The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust also paid tribute, sayng they were ‘deeply saddened’ by Bates’ passing.
‘Ken was one of the most significant figures in Chelsea Football Club’s modern history.
‘Taking charge during one of the club’s most difficult periods, he played a defining role in securing the club’s future at Stamford Bridge and helping lay the foundations for the success that followed.
‘His impact on Chelsea will be remembered for generations, and his place in the club’s history is assured.
‘The thoughts of the CST board & all our members around the globe are with Ken’s family, friends and all those who knew him. Thank You, Ken.’
Soon after leaving west London, Bates became the principal owner and chairman of Leeds in 2005, though he is not fondly remembered at Elland Road.
Two years into his reign, the Yorkshire club was relegated to the third-tier for the first time in their history and placed into administration, yet Bates was able to purchase the club back via a consortium.
He would eventually sell up in 2012 and it would be another eight years before Leeds returned to the Premier League.
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