Ken Bates dies aged 94 as tributes paid to ex-Chelsea and Leeds owner — Mirror 11/7/26

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Ken Bates is credited as the man who saved Chelsea from extinction back in 1982 and owned the Premier League club for 21 years before going on to purchase Leeds United

Nathan Ridley Senior Sports Reporter

Ken Bates, the former owner of Chelsea and Leeds United, has died at the age of 94. Chelsea confirmed his death on Saturday, adding that Bates 'passed away peacefully in Monaco this morning surrounded by his wife and family'.

In a statement, the Premier League club said: "It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of Ken Bates, former owner and chairman of Chelsea Football Club.

"The club sends our heartfelt condolences to Ken's wife Suzannah, the rest of his family and his friends. Ken's determination to fight for Chelsea when times were tough, and drive the team on to winning trophies will never be forgotten."

After purchasing Chelsea for £1 in 1982, Bates is credited as the man who saved them from going out of business. After a transformational 21 years, he sold the club to Russian businessman Roman Abramovich for £140million.

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust also issued a statement which read: "The Chelsea Supporters' Trust is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Chelsea owner and chairman, Ken Bates. Ken was one of the most significant figures in Chelsea Football Club's modern history.

"Taking charge during one of the club's most difficult periods, he played a defining role in securing the club's future at Stamford Bridge and helping lay the foundations for the success that followed. His impact on Chelsea will be remembered for generations, and his place in the club's history is assured.

"The thoughts of the CST board & all our members around the globe are with Ken's family, friends and all those who knew him. Thank You, Ken."

Born in Ealing and having grown up supporting Queens Park Rangers, it was in the north of England where Bates began his executive career in football. He was the chairman Oldham Athletic for five years during the 1960s before teaming up with business associate Freddie Pye at Wigan Athletic, where he served as co-owner and vice chairman from 1980 to 1982.

Chelsea were on the verge of extinction when Bates arrived at Stamford Bridge. The Blues had fallen from the highs of winning the First Division title, an FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup over a glittering 16-year period to languishing in the Second Division only a decade later.

Bates would drastically change Chelsea's fortunes, as they won two FA Cups (1997 and 2000), one League Cup (1998), a UEFA Super Cup (1998) and a Community Shield (2000). The Blues also achieved seven successive top-six finishes in the Premier League.

In January 2005, Bates said that he wanted 'one last challenge' and purchased a 50 per cent stake in Leeds, who at the time were struggling in the Championship. The club went into administration two years later and found themselves in League One.

Bates stuck around, though, and worked with five different permanent managers across eight years before agreeing a deal to sell Leeds to private equity group GFH Capital for £52m. In July 2013, he stepped down from his role as chairman.

Aside from Leeds and Chelsea, Bates shaped the creation of the Premier League. He also played a role in Wembley's development.

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