Ken Bates spent eight-and-a-half years as chairman at Elland Road, first taking control in January 2005.
14:22, 11 Jul 2026Updated 14:36, 11 Jul 2026
Ken Bates
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Former Leeds United chairman Ken Bates
The former chairman of Leeds United and Chelsea, Ken Bates, has died at the age of 94.
Bates took over at Elland Road in 2005, purchasing a 50 per cent stake in the club and saving the Whites from the brink of financial collapse. Prior to taking over at Leeds, Bates famously took over at Chelsea for a symbolic £1 in 1982 and cleared £2million of debt in the process.
In 2003, he sold the club to Roman Abramovich for £140m - the biggest takeover in football history at the time.
His former club, Chelsea announced the the news in a statement on Saturday. It read: "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."
Tributes have poured in for Bates with one fan writing in response: "He made life interesting when he was at Chelsea & Leeds United. RIP," while another added: "Seriously hurting, I can't believe it."
A third continued: "Sad to hear about Ken Bates passing. He was a true fighter who saved Chelsea from the brink and later shook things up at Leeds. A genuine character in football whose legacy will live on."
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