Football Dynasty-Chapter 287: Condolences

PHWEEEEEE!

The first half ends goalless — 0-0 between Manchester City and Chelsea.

Midway through the match, Richard, Marina, and Miss Heysen were escorted by a steward to meet none other than Ken Bates, the then-chairman of Chelsea.

Naturally, any conversation about Chelsea at this time must take into account the club’s tumultuous history.

After a golden era between 1955 and 1971, Chelsea had entered a long period of decline, both on and off the pitch.

By the early 1980s, the club was plagued by serious financial troubles and a reputation for hooliganism among sections of its support. Their situation worsened after a failed attempt to purchase their own stadium, Stamford Bridge, which left the club at the mercy of property developers and legal uncertainty. Things became so dire that Chelsea was technically insolvent, unable to pay its creditors and it was even served with an eviction notice.

Into this chaos stepped Ken Bates — a controversial yet determined businessman with a track record in football.

On April 2, 1982, Bates completed a deal that would change the course of Chelsea Football Club forever: he bought the club for the token sum of £1. The purchase price of £1 was symbolic, reflecting the club’s massive debts rather than its value as a sporting institution.

Despite the turbulence, Richard admired Bates during those early years. From his controversial installation of electric fences at Stamford Bridge to combat hooliganism, to his relentless legal battles with developers, Bates was a fighter. Perhaps most crucially, he eventually succeeded in securing the freehold of Stamford Bridge, reuniting the stadium with the club.

In hindsight, it’s clear: Ken Bates laid the foundation for Chelsea’s long-term survival — and eventual resurgence.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

The door to the VIP box rattled gently under the steward’s knuckles. A moment later, it creaked open, revealing a sharply dressed man in a tailored navy suit — a club official, clearly expecting them.

He gave a polite nod. "Mr. Maddox," he said, before nodding toward Marina and Miss Heysen and inviting them in. "Right this way, please."

The trio stepped into the suite. It was outfitted with plush leather chairs, polished wood finishes, a stocked sideboard with whisky and port, and a clear view of the pitch through large windows.

At the front of the room, standing with one hand in his pocket and the other nursing a glass of scotch, was Ken Bates, alongside other senior figures from Chelsea Football Club.

Of course, Richard had his own reasons for requesting this meeting with Ken Bates and the senior leadership of Chelsea. This wasn’t just a polite visit or a football formality. He had come to offer his condolences.

So, after a bit of small talk, Richard got straight to the point.

"Mr. Bates," he began, "before anything else... I want to express my deepest sympathies."

The club had only recently been shaken by tragedy, following the sudden death of director Matthew Harding, who was killed in a helicopter crash over Cheshire while returning home from Chelsea’s League Cup defeat at Bolton.

Bates’ purchase of Chelsea Football Club marked a turning point for the struggling team.

For example, in 1992, the club once again found itself in trouble — facing severe financial difficulties and growing uncertainty about its future due to failed attempts to secure ownership of its home ground, Stamford Bridge. It was only through the investment of Matthew Harding, who injected over £26 million into the club, that Chelsea began to regain some stability.

Thanks to this, and under Bates’ leadership, the club successfully battled property developers to reunite Chelsea with the freehold of Stamford Bridge, securing its long-term future. Bates also oversaw the renovation of the stadium into an all-seater venue, which was completed by 1995.

Of course, the most important thing is whatever happens on the pitch. For example, in a surprising and controversial decision, chairman Ken Bates made a bold move by appointing midfielder Ruud Gullit as player-manager after Glenn Hoddle left to become England manager.

Gullit then used his continental connections to bring in world-class international talent, including French centre-back Frank Leboeuf and Italian stars such as midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, Parma’s playmaker Gianfranco Zola, and Champions League-winning striker and former Juventus captain Gianluca Vialli.

Chelsea’s total spending in that transfer window reached an impressive more than £13 million!

Bates’s expression didn’t change immediately, but the hardness in his eyes dulled. He took a slow sip, then nodded once.

"Thank you," he said, voice rough. "Matthew was one of the good ones. We lost more than a player."

He paused, setting the glass down on the sideboard.

"We lost a son of the club."

A heavy silence followed, respectful and genuine. Richard gave a quiet nod, his hands clasped in front of him. For a moment, football and business faded into the background, replaced by something more human — grief, legacy, and the shared burden of responsibility.

But the moment couldn’t last forever.

A knock came at the door. The steward entered shortly after to inform them that time was nearly up. Marina glanced at her watch, then at Richard.

The subtle look was enough — time was catching up.

Richard cleared his throat softly and extended his hand for one final handshake. freewёbnoνel-com

"I wish we had more time, Mr. Bates," he said with a faint, regretful smile. "But I know you’re busy. And so are we."

Bates straightened, returning the nod with one of his own. He shook Richard’s hand firmly. "Appreciate it, Mr. Maddox. You’re welcome here anytime."

As the door opened once more and the group prepared to leave, Richard cast a final glance toward the pitch — still bathed in late-afternoon light, still waiting for a goal that hadn’t come.

Chelsea was a club in transition, shaped by tragedy but held together by resilience. And sometimes, a few quiet words spoken in a crowded room could mean more than all the noise outside.

After offering his condolences, Richard returned to his VIP suite.

Moments later, he saw the players beginning to make their way back onto the pitch. He couldn’t help but glance at Chelsea’s lineup.

Goalkeeper: Frode Grodås

Defenders: Steve Clarke, Michael Duberry, Frank Leboeuf, Scott Minto

Midfielders: Dan Petrescu, Ruud Gullit, Dennis Wise, Roberto Di Matteo

Forwards: Gianfranco Zola, Mark Hughes

The most prominent player was clearly the 33-year-old Gullit, along with other international superstars like Leboeuf, Di Matteo, Petrescu, and Zola.

Beyond those key names, there weren’t many star players—a reflection of Chelsea’s evolving development model, which had even earned praise from the FA as a potential blueprint: combining homegrown talent with experienced international stars.

Perhaps the FA believed that the Premier League still lacked international appeal and needed a boost to catch up with Europe’s elite. Bringing in aging but experienced stars was seen as a way to raise the league’s profile and competitiveness.

Of course, this approach soon became a trend, with clubs like Middlesbrough, Bolton, and West Ham following suit—blending veteran international talent with domestic players in hopes of becoming more competitive also.

PHWEEEEE!

As the second half kicked off, Chelsea’s attack still struggled to build any real momentum. Much like in the first half, they looked passive and disjointed.

In midfield, they had Ruud Gullit—a former global superstar—but now 33 years old. While his experience offered moments of creative brilliance, his defensive limitations were becoming increasingly apparent.

He was the one City targeted most. Their intense midfield pressing overwhelmed the former World Footballer of the Year, leaving him disoriented and frequently dispossessed.

BANG!

Once again, Henry let fly — a powerful strike that rocketed through the air and smashed against the goalpost with a thunderous clang.

The entire stadium seemed to flinch.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. It was so close — inches from glory, yet still no breakthrough.

Henry stood still for a beat, hands on his hips, eyes fixed on the post as if trying to will the ball in on the next try. He was getting closer, and everyone in the ground could feel it.

Chelsea had been warned. Again.

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