Ken Bates, former chairman of Chelsea Football Club, passed away peacefully in Monaco this morning at 94, surrounded by his wife Suzannah and family.

Bates bought Chelsea for £1 in 1982, assuming a £1.5m debt when the club played in the Second Division. He steered the team to top‑flight status before selling his shares to Roman Abramovich in 2003 for £140m. The club remained heavily indebted at the time of the sale, and Bates stayed on as chairman until stepping down in 2004.

During his tenure, Chelsea saw nine managers, including Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli, and Claudio Ranieri. It was under.Д Gullit that the club ended a 26‑year trophy drought, winning the FA Cup in 1997.

Chelsea released a statement expressing deep sorrow, offering condolences to Bates' wife and family. His determination to fight through hardship set the stage for Chelsea’s modern era, influencing the club’s culture and financial strategy and leaving a legacy that still shapes fan expectations and club ambitions.