The talk at Chelsea

Not for the first time this season, there has been so much going on at Stamford Bridge that football's best gossip column is dedicated entirely to the recent upheavals at the club. First up, the departure of our old adversary Ken Bates has not gone down well in the vice-presidents club, a group of wealthy businessman and various Chelsea faces who pay tens of thousands of pounds to sit near the directors' boxes. With former Sports Minister Tony Banks as spokesman, they feel the new regime has done little to win them over and that their opinions, once sought by the ancien regime, are ignored. But sources close to Peter Kenyon insist that when the new chief executive settles in he will seek to build bridges.

Ken's now a red van man

If anyone knows who Bates' new chauffeur is, please let us know at the email below. Talk wonders whether Bates's new mode of transport . . . a red van . . . and driver is the one that is part of the contract he signed as chairman following the takeover over which he is now in dispute with Chelsea. Bates wants a £2million settlement to cover the expenses he was granted in the deal which was meant to be for life. Talk understands that part of the deal was the use of a luxury car and driver.

Friend's surprise tribute

Our old friend councillor Frances Stainton has paid tribute to Chelsea's departing chairman. Hammersmith and Fulham Council's blue-rinse eco-warrior has clashed with Bates over the years but said: "I had a glass of champagne with Ken on Monday night and wished him well. He invited me to the club but didn't tell me he was leaving, though I felt he probably would because he likes to be in charge. I didn't get the impression that he had lost interest in the club at all or that he would be leaving his home." Having seen off Bates, Stainton will waste little time in confronting the club's new regime and meets Kenyon today to discuss environmental improvements around the Bridge. Stainton wants some trees to help smarten up the area.

Walker has a sorry tale

And finally ... a touching reunion took place at Stuttgart Airport the day after Chelsea's Champions League win. Former Blues player Clive Walker, part of the media party, was waiting for his flight when he was approached by a fan. "It's taken me a long time," said the fan, "but I just wanted to apologise and shake your hand?"
"Apologise for what?" Walker asked the sizeable Blues fan.
"Do you remember the 1985 League Cup semi-final when Chelsea played Sunderland?" asked the fan.
"Of course," replied Walker, "I was playing."
"I know," said the fan. "I ran on to the pitch and tried to whack you."
"He was only a yard away when he was rugby-tackled otherwise he'd have chinned me," recalled Walker. "He was big then but he's even bigger now."

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