Ken Bates, the former owner and chairman of Chelsea who bought the club for just a pound in 1982, has died. He like 94.
Chelsea confirmed the death in a statement on Saturday, saying Bates «passed away peacefully this morning in Monaco, surrounded by his wife and family.» “The club extends our sincere condolences to Ken’s wife Suzannah, the rest of his family and his friends.
Ken’s determination to fight for Chelsea in difficult times and drive the team to winning trophies will never be forgotten.» Bates bought Chelsea when it was in debt and struggling in the English second division – hence the price of just one pound – but injected money into the club and engineered a return to the top flight in 1984.
He became the club’s third-longest serving chairman, holding the position for 22 years. He also became one of the best-known characters in English football thanks to a personality Chelsea described as ‘colourful, outspoken and controversial’.
He sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003 for £140 million (then $233 million). He took over Leeds United as owner and chairman in 2005 and sold the club in 2012.
Published on July 11, 2026
