Ken Bates is best known as the man who saved Chelsea from extinction in 1982 and owned the Premier League club for 21 years before buying Leeds United.
Ken Bates dies (Image: Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images)
Former Chelsea and Leeds United owner Ken Bates has died at the age of 94. Chelsea confirmed his death on Saturday, adding that Mr Bates “passed away peacefully this morning in Monaco surrounded by his wife and family.”
The Premier League club said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ken Bates, former owner and chairman of Chelsea Football Club.
“The club sends its deepest sympathies to Ken’s wife Susannah, the rest of his family and friends. Ken’s determination to fight for Chelsea through tough times and drive the team to trophies will never be forgotten.”
After buying Chelsea for £1 in 1982, Bates is credited with saving Chelsea from going out of business. After 21 years of change, he sold the club to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich for £140 million.
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Ken Bates changed Chelsea’s fortunes (Image: Mark Leech/Offside via Getty Images)
Chelsea Supporters Trust also released a statement: “Chelsea Supporters Trust is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Chelsea owner and chairman Ken Bates. Ken was one of the most important figures in the modern history of Chelsea Football Club.”
“Taking charge during one of the club’s most difficult periods, he played a decisive role in securing the club’s future at Stamford Bridge and laying the foundations for subsequent success. His influence on Chelsea will be remembered for generations and his place in the club’s history is secure.”
“The thoughts of the CST Board of Directors and all of our members around the world are with Ken’s family, friends, and everyone who knew him. Thank you, Ken.”
Mr Bates, who was born in Ealing and grew up supporting Queens Park Rangers, began his career as a football executive in the north of England. He was chairman of Oldham Athletic for five years in the 1960s before teaming up with business associate Freddie Pye at Wigan Athletic, where he was co-owner and vice-chairman from 1980 to 1982.
When Bates arrived at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were on the brink of extinction. The Blues have fallen from the heights of 16 glorious years, winning the First Division title, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup, to languishing in the Second Division just 10 years later.
Ken Bates, pictured after taking over Chelsea in 1982 (Image: United News/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Bates dramatically changed the fortunes of Chelsea, who won the FA Cup twice (1997 and 2000), the League Cup once (1998), the UEFA Super Cup (1998) and the Community Shield once (2000). The Blues have also achieved seven consecutive top-six finishes in the Premier League.
In January 2005, Bates bought a 50 per cent stake in Leeds, who were then struggling in the Championship, saying he wanted “one last challenge”. The club went into administration two years later and found themselves in League One.
But Mr Bates stayed put, working with five different permanent managers over eight years before agreeing a deal to sell Leeds to private equity group GFH Capital for £52m. He resigned as chairman in July 2013.
Apart from Leeds and Chelsea, Bates shaped the creation of the Premier League. He also contributed to the development of Wembley.
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