Former Chelsea and Leeds United chairman Ken Bates dies at 94

Ken Bates, a significant figure in modern English football, has passed away at the age of 94 in Monaco. Bates served as the chairman of Chelsea for 22 years, a tenure that began in 1982 when he purchased the club for a nominal fee while it carried substantial debts. During his leadership, he guided Chelsea back to the top tier of English football and led them to numerous honors, including the FA Cup twice, the League Cup, and the Cup Winners' Cup. He sold the club to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for a reported £140 million. Bates was known for his combative style, often expressing strong opinions in matchday programs. After his departure from Chelsea, he took ownership of Leeds United in 2005, remaining there for nearly eight years. Chelsea Football Club acknowledged his "determination to fight for Chelsea when times were tough" and his role in driving the team to win trophies. The Chelsea Supporters Trust highlighted his crucial role in securing the club's future at Stamford Bridge through the non-profit Chelsea Pitch Owners organization, which he established to protect the stadium from redevelopment.

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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.