Ken Bates, the colourful and controversial former owner of Chelsea and Leeds United, has died at the age of 94. Chelsea announced the death on Saturday, saying he had “passed away peacefully in Monaco this morning surrounded by his wife and family”.
Bates bought Chelsea for £1 in 1982 when they were in the old Second Division, taking on debts of £1.5 m, and set about reviving the club’s fortunes. Over 21 years he oversaw two FA Cup wins (1997 and 2000), a League Cup and a Uefa Super Cup, laying the foundations for the success that followed. He sold the club to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for £140 m when Chelsea were in the top flight, although they were heavily in debt at the time. Bates stayed on as chairman before stepping down in 2004.
“Ken Bates, former Chelsea and Leeds owner who bought Chelsea for £1, dies aged 94 in Monaco.”
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said Bates “played a defining role in securing the club’s future at Stamford Bridge”, while Chelsea’s statement added: “Ken’s determination to fight for Chelsea when times were tough, and drive the team on to winning trophies will never be forgotten.”
Born in December 1931 in Ealing, west London, Bates endured a difficult childhood – his mother died soon after he was born and his father absconded, leading to him being raised by his grandparents in a council flat. He supported Queens Park Rangers but a club foot prevented him from playing, so he turned to business, making a fortune in haulage, quarrying, ready-mix concrete and dairy farming.
His football executive career began at Oldham Athletic, where he was chairman for five years in the 1960s, and he later served as co-owner and vice-chairman of Fourth Division Wigan Athletic from 1980. At Chelsea he installed an infamous 12‑ft‑high electric fence at Stamford Bridge in 1985 (it was never activated) and frequently clashed with authorities and rivals. He went on to own Leeds United, a tenure that proved hugely troubled.
Bates is survived by his wife Suzannah. His place in Chelsea’s history is assured – a man who saved the club from extinction and propelled it towards a new era.