Ken Bates, the man who saved Chelsea for £1 in 1982, dies aged 94 in Monaco

Ken Bates, the former owner and chairman of Chelsea Football Club and Leeds United, died peacefully in Monaco on Saturday at the age of 94, surrounded by his wife Suzannah and family. Chelsea confirmed the news in an official statement.

“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 said. “Ken’s determination to fight for Chelsea when times were tough, and drive the team on to winning trophies will never be forgotten.”

Bates purchased Chelsea for just £1 in 1982 at a time when the club was facing financial ruin, and is widely credited with saving it from extinction. He went on to own the club for 21 years, overseeing a period of gradual recovery and growth at Stamford Bridge before selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003 — a sale that ushered in an era of unprecedented success for the west London club.

The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust paid tribute to his legacy, describing him as “one of the most significant figures in Chelsea Football Club’s modern history.” The Trust’s statement added: “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.”

After leaving Chelsea, Bates went on to purchase Leeds United, where he remained a prominent and often controversial figure in English football. His tenure at Elland Road was marked by the same combative style that had defined his years in west London.

Tributes have continued to flow from across the football world following the announcement of his death.