Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has passed away, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most significant figures in the club's modern history. Bates bought Chelsea in 1983 for £1 and took on debts of £1.5million, but he successfully turned the club's fortunes around.
Under his leadership, Chelsea achieved promotion back to the top-flight and secured their place at Stamford Bridge. The club became an established Premier League team and ended their 26-year wait for a trophy when Ruud Gullit's side won the 1997 FA Cup.
Bates oversaw further success, including another FA Cup, League Cup, and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. However, by the end of his era, the club was again in huge debt. He sold his shares to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for £140m and stepped down as chairman a year later.
The Chelsea Supporters' Trust paid tribute to Bates, saying they were "deeply saddened" by his passing. The trust acknowledged his defining role in securing the club's future at Stamford Bridge and laying the foundations for future success.
Bates later became the principal owner and chairman of Leeds in 2005, but his tenure was marked by relegation to the third-tier and financial difficulties. He eventually sold the club in 2012, and it took another eight years for Leeds to return to the Premier League.
