- 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.
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