Former Chelsea Owner Ken Bates Dies Aged 94

Bates was a towering and controversial figure in English football, credited with saving Chelsea from insolvency and laying the groundwork for its subsequent success under Abramovich.

He also owned Leeds United for several years before selling.

He passed away in Monaco, where he had lived in later years, with tributes coming from across the football world.

His stewardship transformed Chelsea from a debt-ridden club into a stable Premier League side, paving the way for the Abramovich era.