Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFormer Chelsea and Leeds owner Ken Bates has died (PA)Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has died at the age of 94 in Monaco, surrounded by his wife and family. Bates famously purchased Chelsea for just £1 in 1982, inheriting debts of £1.5m, where he oversaw the club's resurgence from the Second Division and kept the club at Stamford Bridge. He sold Chelsea to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for £140m, a move that ushered in an era of unprecedented success for the club. After Chelsea, Bates became the principal owner of Leeds United in 2005, running the club for seven years before its sale in 2012. Chelsea Football Club released a statement expressing sadness and sending condolences, acknowledging Bates' determination and contribution to the club's trophy-winning history. In fullFormer Chelsea and Leeds owner Ken Bates dies aged 94More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Ken Bates dead: Tributes to former Chelsea owner who helped save club
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFormer Chelsea and Leeds owner Ken Bates has died (PA)Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has died at the age of 94 in Monaco, surrounded by his wife and family. Bates famously purchased Chelsea for just £1 in 1982, inheriting debts of £1.5m, where he oversaw the club's resurgence from the Second Division and kept the club at Stamford Bridge. He sold Chelsea to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for £140m, a move that ushered in an era of unprecedented success for the club. After Chelsea, Bates became the principal owner of Leeds United in 2005, running the club for seven years before its sale in 2012. Chelsea Football Club released a statement expressing sadness and sending condolences, acknowledging Bates' determination and contribution to the club's trophy-winning history. In fullFormer Chelsea and Leeds owner Ken Bates dies aged 94More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
