Â£2m for ex-chairman Bates

Ken Bates leaving Stamford Bridge looking like Uncle Albert from Only Fools and Horses

Matt Hughes|Steve Stammers|Evening Standard

14 April 2012

Ken Bates is seeking a £2million pay-off from Chelsea after resigning as chairman last night.

Bates's resignation speech at his final Supper Club last night was more low-key than had been expected because he has yet to reach a deal with the club's new owners.

The 72-year-old stopped short of a scathing criticism of the new regime but made it clear he was unhappy at being forced out, blaming his exit on "a clash of Eastern and Western cultures".

Under the terms of a contract agreed following Roman Abramovich's £ 140million takeover last summer to remain as chairman until 2005 and then become life president, Bates was entitled to generous expenses to cover the work he would do on behalf of the club. The contract did not provide for a salary and does not contain a notice period or payoff clause if it is terminated.

Behind the scenes talks have been going on for some time over his departure and it is understood Bates, who received £17m from Abramovich for the takeover, has not ruled out the possibility of legal action if he does not receive a satisfactory settlement.

Chelsea had already made a £1m offer before last night's events but this has yet to be agreed.

"I feel that - and I have taken advice on this - that the agreement I had in July has not been honoured," said Bates. "It has been broken and I have resigned as chairman of Chelsea Football Club."

When asked about any potential settlement, Bates said: "Mind your own business."

During an emotional evening at Stamford Bridge, Bates made a relatively quiet retreat by his standards but aimed several thinly veiled criticisms at the Abramovich regime's way of conducting business.

He said: "All good things come to an end and this is the last chairman's Supper Club. It was anticipated that I would be phased out when the new regime took over and it's not gone as I thought it would. It's a clash of Eastern and Western cultures. Their philosophy is not my philosophy and my values are not their values.

"It's in the best interests of the club that Peter Kenyon operates in his way without me being on the sidelines. Manchester United suffered because Sir Matt Busby never retired."

Bates's well-chosen words were not enough to disguise a furious behind-thescenes row that has broken out at the club since Kenyon arrived last month.

The former chairman's executive powers and privileges, such as representing the club at Premier League meetings, his infamous programme notes and his place on the club's committee organising next year's centenary, have been removed by the incoming chief executive and he believes that has violated the agreement he reached last summer.

Bates has cleared most of his possessions from his office in the last 48 hours and it has now been taken over by Kenyon.

He greeted a question about Kenyon's qualities with a sarcastic response and criticised Chelsea Village chairman Bruce Buck for his failure to attend. Buck, who is expected to replace Bates as football club chairman, bought three tickets for the Supper Club but was conspicuous by his absence and it is significant that no one from the Abramovich camp was there to witness Bates's farewell.

He said: "I was hoping Mr Buck would be here so I could give him my resignation letter but unfortunately he's not turned up. Perhaps that's an indication of the difference in values between East and West.

"It was a good appointment for Peter Kenyon - he must have thought Christmas had come early. The King is dead, or at least is retired, long live the King."

Bates added: "It's a different club and I have to accept that. Roman Abramovich has bought the toyshop and let's hope he respects the toys. We have to have patience and build brick by brick, not overnight.

"We will continue to live in the penthouse (at Stamford Bridge) and see you all. I live on top of the hotel and am not moving. I would accept half of Siberia for the penthouse. In the meantime, I'm going to spend my money on wine and song."

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