Henry 14th wrote:So which one, being successful for a decade plus or coming back from the dead (with a yatch load of cash to fund the ending of domination)?
The club had a good 10 years before Abramovich took over the club, including completing the rebuilding of the stadium. It was the ambitious rebuilding of the ground in the early 70's that nearly killed the club. Only the East Stand was built and still remains from that project, although it has been completely refurbished. I know that, as I used to have access in the old days, even having a beer in the players bar there and before I came to Thailand I took myself on a tour of the Bridge for old times sake.
Bates bought the club for £1 and then had a mighty battle with the developers, Marler Estates, that had bought most of the shares after Brian Mears and his board sold out. It was his Grandfather who founded the club, so shame on the man. The history is pretty well documented after that, QPR's involvement, Richard Attenborough, a lifelong fan, refusing to sell his shares, the Chelsea Pitch Owners (I'm one), that even stopped Abramovich's plan to move from the Bridge. nearly being relegated to the old 3rd division (and yes, I really was at Bolton where we needed a win to stay up, thank you Clive Walker). Then the tide turned, John Neal initially, then Hoddles management setting the club on the right track. Marler Estates became bankrupt, Matthew Harding stepped in and splashed his cash (before being tragically killed in a helicopter crash on the way back from a game), then we had a pretty successful 10 years, winning in Europe, the FA cup, twice I believe off the top of my head, always near the top of the premiership, runners up one year and then the Russian stepped in.
He was looking to buy Spurs, but it was a no-brainer once he checked Chelsea out!
