Chelski! This was the sobriquet used by journalists and T-shirt vendors alike after the surprise acquisition of Chelsea Football Club ten years ago by the little-known Russian, Roman Abramovich.

The term “little-known” would never again be applied to the young businessman.

Chelsea FC’s financial difficulties in the spring of 2003 were evident. The club’s publicly traded debt was selling at around 60p to the pound. Investor groups were said to be circling. Some believed that bankruptcy was on the cards. Potentially a bleak future for a club with such history — after all, we were the “kings of the Kings Road”.

Ken Bates had brought the club a long way in the 20 years since he had purchased it from the Mears family for £1.