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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Sachin Nakrani

Ken Bates, colourful and controversial former Chelsea chair, dies aged 94

Ken Bates as Chelsea chair in 2001
Ken Bates owned Chelsea from 1982 to 2003, overseeing huge change there before selling the club to Roman Abramovich. Photograph: Andrew Budd/Action Images/Reuters

Ken Bates, one of the most colourful and controversial figures in the history of English football, has died aged 94, Chelsea have announced.

The club reported on Saturday afternoon that Bates had died peacefully in Monaco surrounded by his wife and family. “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of Ken Bates, former owner and chairman of Chelsea Football Club.

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