In pictures: Ken Bates' reign at Chelsea

1 of 11 Ken Bates buys Chelsea for £1 in 1982, wiping out their debts and he soon started to rebuild Stamford Bridge

2 of 11 When Bates takes over the ground had seen little improvement and the club were in the old second division

3 of 11 By the time Bates leaves Chelsea the stadium at Stamford Bridge is transformed into one of Premiership's best grounds

4 of 11 After varying fortunes in the 1980's Chelsea gain promotion in 1989 in time for the start of the Premiership in 1992

5 of 11 Chelsea enjoy some success in 1994 as Glenn Hoddle leads them to the FA Cup final - although they lose 4-0 to Man Utd

6 of 11 Ruud Gullit takes over from Hoddle in 1996 and guides Chelsea to the FA Cup in 1997 and Cup Winners Cup in 1998

7 of 11 Gullit is surprisingly sacked by Bates in 1998 and another charismatic continental takes over - Gianluca Vialli

8 of 11 Bates leaves Wembley after Vialli's team win the last FA Cup Final at the old stadium beating Aston Villa in the final

9 of 11 There are off-pitch improvements as well as the plush Chelsea Village complex goes up around Stamford Bridge

10 of 11 Claudio Ranieri comes in after Vialli's shock departure in 2000, but a rising wage bill is adding to Chelsea's financial problems

11 of 11 Roman Abramovich buys Bates' shares in July 2003 but Bates leaves after 22 years as their relationship became strained. And now for a new era at Leeds...