Former Chelsea owner and chairman Ken Bates dies at 94

Ken Bates, the owner and former chairman of Chelsea Football Club, died on Saturday at the age of 94.

Bates acquired Chelsea for a nominal fee of just one pound sterling in 1982, later becoming the club’s third-longest-serving chairman, completing 22 years in the role.

He led the London club to top positions in the Premier League before selling it to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003, and subsequently took control of Leeds United in 2005.

In a statement, Chelsea affirmed that Bates’s determination to fight for the club during difficult times and his drive to lead the team to trophies would remain etched in memory and never be forgotten.