27 Facts About Ken Bates

Kenneth William Bates was born on 4 December 1931 and is a British businessman, football executive and hotelier.

Ken Bates was involved in the development of Wembley Stadium and is the former owner and chairman of football clubs Chelsea and Leeds United.

The club regained Championship status in 2010 and, in May 2011, it was confirmed that Ken Bates had become the sole owner.

In November 2012, Ken Bates sold his holdings in Leeds United to GFH Capital.

Ken Bates's mother died shortly afterwards and his father absconded, so he was raised by his grandparents in a council flat.

Ken Bates grew up supporting Queens Park Rangers but was unsuccessful in pursuing a playing career in football.

Ken Bates made his personal fortune in the haulage industry and later moved into quarrying, ready-mix concrete and dairy farming.

Ken Bates was involved with various other enterprises during the 1960s and 1970s, including projects on the British Virgin Islands and in Rhodesia.

Square Ball has reported, having worked with a documentary made in the British Virgin Islands, that Ken Bates attempted to obtain control and develop most of the island of Anegada near Tortola on a 199-year lease, but was thwarted after protests by islanders caused the local government to change its decision and investigations began by the British government.

Chelsea have spent all but one season in the top flight of English football since 1984, and by the time Ken Bates stepped down as chairman in 2003 they were firmly re-established as one of English football's leading sides, having achieved seven successive top six finishes in the Premier League and won several major trophies as well as signing a succession of high-profile players, including many foreign international stars.

Ken Bates re-united the freehold with the club after Marler's bankruptcy following a market crash, which allowed him to do a deal with their banks and create the Chelsea Pitch Owners, an organisation set-up to stave off future developers and attempted to make the club more financially viable.

Ken Bates had Stamford Bridge rebuilt as an all-seater stadium by 1995, and by 2001 it had a capacity of more than 42,000.

Ken Bates spent 21 years at Chelsea, during which time he attracted the headlines on many occasions and employed no fewer than nine managers.

In 2002, he was sued for libel by Chelsea supporter David Johnstone after describing fans' group, the Chelsea Independent Supporters Association, as parasites; Ken Bates settled out of court without accepting liability.

Ken Bates stayed on as club chairman until March 2004, when he announced his resignation.

Ken Bates installed veteran former Chelsea player Derek Johnstone as manager with the intention of using Partick as a feeder club for Chelsea.

Ken Bates was an active member of The Football Association executive and was involved in the early stages of the project to rebuild Wembley Stadium and was appointed chairman of Wembley National Stadium Ltd in 1997.

Ken Bates resigned in 2001, citing a lack of support from the board.

Ken Bates was quoted as saying that he wanted "one last challenge".

Ken Bates had a dispute with former club, Chelsea, having accused them of "tapping-up" three Leeds youth players, accusations denied by Chelsea.

Ken Bates planned to eventually re-purchase Leeds' home stadium, Elland Road, and the Thorp Arch training ground.

Ken Bates became unpopular with groups of fans, and during the summer protests were held at games, demanding that the chairman should resign.

In May 2011, in anticipation of promotion to the English Premier League Ken Bates confirmed, according to the BBC, that he had become the sole owner of Leeds United.

Kevin Blackwell was the manager when Ken Bates joined Leeds and was sacked after playoff final failure and a disappointing league position during the following season.

On 1 February 2012, Ken Bates relieved Grayson of his managerial duties, citing a string of defeats, a disappointment in Grayson suggesting that he was under "financial constraints", and need for a new voice and direction.

On 1 July 2013, Ken Bates officially stepped down as chairman and moved to the position of honorary president.

Ken Bates was replaced in the role of chairman by Salah Nooruddin.