Simon Pauley

london

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@iSimonara I don’t disagree but we also only had 1 shot on target up until the first sub at 72 mins, we wernt playing well in general is all I’m saying

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

COME ON ENGLAND!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Ken Bates saved Chelsea. Not only back in 1982 when Bates rescued the club from potential oblivion. But still now, even following the sad news of his passing aged 94, Bates’ legacy continues to protect Chelsea. He created the CPO, Chelsea Pitch Owners, which safeguards the future of the stadium.

Bates achieved much in an extraordinary life. He fought to protect the FA Cup, fought for the new Wembley to be built, stabilised Leeds United and fought for smaller clubs but his greatest legacy revolves around Chelsea. Combative, controversial, loyal and principled in his way, Bates was driven by a desire to prove himself, to make something of himself, to take on the establishment in its varied forms.

Much of this drive stemmed from memories of growing up without parents (his mother died, his father disappeared and he was raised by his grandparents) and frustration at a childhood disability destroying his dream of making it as a footballer at Arsenal. He'd been a good attacker.

It was April 2 1982, when Bates rescued Chelsea. He spoke to the club bankers who’d run out of patience. “We have two cheques here,” the bank told Bates. “One is for the share of the (FA Cup) gate which has to go to the FA. And one is the players’ wages. Which one can we bounce?”

He came in, invested money to tide the club over and started cutting costs. Entering the Bridge boardroom for the first time pre-match, Bates was shocked to see the number of guests, the feast laid on, even a cigar box being passed around at a club losing £12,000 a week. Chelsea even had a club chauffeur. Not for long.

Bates’ cost-cutting was brutal but vital. Chelsea recovered, fought off property developers through Bates’ strength of personality, established themselves as a force in the Premier League and became more involved in European competition. Bates loved Chelsea. He loved entertainers. His favourite was Gianfranco Zola because the Italian played with a smile, dribbled and lit up stadiums and fans’ lives.

Even after selling to Roman Abramovich in 2003, taking over Leeds where his cost-cutting (and Chelsea past) alienated many fans, and then living in retirement with his beloved Suzannah in Monaco, Bates would try and return to watch matches at the Bridge. He kept a flat full of mementos nearby.

On the sideboard was a framed copy of Bates’ CPO share. One day while Chelsea chairman, a fan shouted about the possibility of “your grandson sells the land for houses”. Bates’ initial reaction was, typically, “You ungrateful bastard”.

But he realised that was a very real threat – the Bridge was prime London land. Developers craved it. So Bates created the CPO; it now numbers 13,000 fans owning 23,000 individual shares (Thomas Tuchel has one) and a large majority would be required to vote for any change in use of the pitch. And they aren’t for change. As Bates intended.

We last spoke on May 18. Ken sounded frail but was typically opinionated on the footballing issues of the day. Bates had his difficult side, vendettas and views, but he was passionate about family, football and Chelsea FC. RIP, Ken.

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

Harry Kane man, the best player to play for England in my opinion

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@AndyRobsonTips 👍

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@damzychillin Antonio Rudiger

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@KevGunner Do you even need to ask the question?

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@shill306 Same here followed them all season, think what he has done there since he has arrived doesn’t get enough coverage

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@KevGunner You won’t hear a single Chelsea fan try and disagree with you

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

Am I the only one who is bored senseless of teams playing out from the back and recycling the ball when there is good opportunities to cross it into the box

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@talkSPORT 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

ENZZZZOOOOOOOOO

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@Ahmed_A_Askar All good thought I’d mention it and give you time to amend it lol

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

Palmer calmness, Pedro continuing his fine form

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

Wow Pedro take a bow!

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@KevGunner Guehi, glasner clearing looking for the sack and now mateta - your boys need some reinforcements

Wouldn’t worry you will get points off us this weekend

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

Rosenior probably looking for that break clause in the contract already after watching that dross #CFC

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@KevGunner Think he is leaving and most likely has offers. Just don’t rate him particularly highly, guehi - would you sell now or wait? Personally think keep him till the summer as you could go far in the conference league

[Simon Pauley @pauleycfc]

@KevGunner Yeah what’s happening with your mob? That defensive stability seems to have gone. Think that glasner got his eyes on his next club, possibly United.

You do need recruitment though, not a big fan of Brennan Johnson myself