Electric shocks for fans, big-name signings and saving Stamford Bridge! It's 40 years since Ken Bates bought Chelsea for £1 and his controversial reign began... before selling to Roman Abramovich for £140m - with the Blues facing new ownership uncertainty

Chelsea in financial uncertainty and in need of a new owner? We've been here before.

It was April 2, 1982, and notorious businessman and football executive Ken Bates had just bought the Blues for £1. Chelsea were in disarray, faced with huge debts and tarnished with hooliganism.

They were struggling in the old second division and that season finished 12th, their joint-lowest position at the time since being founded in 1905.

Over the next 21 years Bates was never far from the news as he clashed with fans and fellow board members, once threatening to even electric shock Chelsea supporters.