24 October 1966 - He Came, He Saw, He Conquered

On 24 October 1966, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was born in the city of Saratov in southern Russia. Currently one of the richest men in the world, he has spurred Chelsea to a massive haul of silverware including multiple league titles and the Champions League trophy.

Abramovich accumulated his wealth quickly, though he has been accused of using methods of questionable legality. For example, while still serving in the Soviet Army, he made money by selling allegedly stolen gasoline. By 1995, however, he, along with a partner, had acquired a controlling interest in a large Russsian oil company, paying $100 million.

In 2003, he bought Chelsea from then-owner Ken Bates. He paid £140 million for the club, who at the time were saddled with debt, and quickly steered them to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006--their first league titles since 1955.

Chelsea have had twelve different (non-caretaker) managers under Abramovich, including Claudio Ranieri, José Mourinho (twice), Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, and current boss Antonio Conte. Throughout, Chelsea have won five league titles (2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2017), four FA Cups (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012), and the Champions League (2012).

24 October 1966 - He Came, He Saw, He Conquered

On 24 October 1966, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was born in the city of Saratov in southern Russia. Currently one of the richest men in the world, he has spurred Chelsea to a massive haul of silverware including multiple league titles and the Champions League trophy.

Abramovich accumulated his wealth quickly, though he has been accused of using methods of questionable legality. For example, while still serving in the Soviet Army, he made money by selling allegedly stolen gasoline. By 1995, however, he, along with a partner, had acquired a controlling interest in a large Russsian oil company, paying $100 million.

In 2003, he bought Chelsea from then-owner Ken Bates. He paid £140 million for the club, who at the time were saddled with debt, and quickly steered them to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006--their first league titles since 1955.

Chelsea have had nine different (non-caretaker) managers under Abramovich, including Claudio Ranieri, José Mourinho, Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti, and current boss Roberto Di Matteo. Throughout, Chelsea have won three league titles (2005, 2006, and 2010), four FA Cups (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012), and the Champions League (2012).

21 January 2005 - For That Price, He Could Have Bought 10 Million Chelseas

On 21 January 2005, controversial former Chelsea owner Ken Bates completed his takeover of Leeds United, purchasing a 50 percent stake for £10 million.

In 1982, Bates bought Chelsea, then in the Second Division, for £1 (also assuming responsibility for their massive debts). His 21 years there were successful but volatile, going through 9 different managers, but ending with the club in the top flight. Meanwhile, Bates drew constant attention, including heavy criticism for his proposal to separate supporters from the pitch with an electric fence. He ended up selling Chelsea to Roman Abramovitch in 2003 for £140 million.

When he acquired his stake in Leeds, they were deep in debt and struggling in the Championship. Bates' investment allowed the club to stave off an imminent bankruptcy, though they entered administration in 2007 after being relegated to League One. The club was then sold to a company that included Bates as one of the directors, a shady bit of business that marked him as a target for unhappy supporters. The Guardian's investigation into the club's new ownership resulted in Bates banning the paper's reporters from the club's Elland Road ground in 2009--a ban that that currently remains in effect.

Nevertheless, under Bates' stewardship, Leeds rose back to the Championship in 2010 and currently sit in 5th place, which would qualify them for the playoffs to earn promotion back to the Premier League.