Revealed: the Bates deal with Chelsea

Standard Sport can today reveal the extraordinary contract Ken Bates had with Chelsea during his final months as chairman.

Bates is suing his former club for £2million claiming a breach of the deal following his dramatic resignation earlier this month. Chelsea will defend the action and it is understood there is a question mark over whether the deal was ever signed.

The contract shows the extent of his perks since Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea last year.

Despite selling his shares to the Russian for £17m as part of the £140m takeover last summer, Bates was given a deal to remain as chairman of Chelsea Village until the company's next annual general meeting, and to stay on as chairman of Chelsea Football Club until 30 May 2005.

All Bates's priviliges, such as continued use of the chairman's office at Stamford Bridge, were also guaranteed for the rest of his life.

Although Bates's position as football club chairman was not salaried, his generous expense package is thought to have been worth at least £200,000-a-year. As well as paid for use of his office, a PA, triband mobile and home telephones, the 72-year-old was given £2500-a-month towards the rent of a prestige motor vehicle (a Bentley) and chauffeur.

Bates has seen most of Chelsea's games this season and has become used to watching the Blues in style. His contract guaranteed him:

Although shorn of most of his executive powers, Bates was permitted to represent Chelsea at Premier League and Football Association meetings alongside the club's chief executive. In return he was expected to "act in accordance with the directions and policies of the board" and "undertake such tasks as the board shall from time to time reasonably delegate to him".