Matthew Bates

Matthew David Bates ( born December 10, 1986 in Stockton) is an English footballer. He plays central defender, but can also be used in defensive midfield or on the right-back position.

Career

Clubs

Born in Stockton -on-Tees and raised in Eaglescliffe, Bates started playing in a youth center for Manchester United at the age of nine years. After a few years the youth center was closed and Bates began his hometown club to play FC Middlesbrough. With this he won the 2003 /04 FA Youth Cup and was subsequently promoted to the first team. His league debut came on 6 December 2004 (4 days before his 18th birthday) as he came off the bench in the 3-2 win against Manchester City for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. After his successful time as Players out on loan at Darlington, he managed under manager Gareth Southgate breakthrough at Middlesbrough FC.

In the 2006/07 season he was loaned to Ipswich Town, but was injured in his second game and returned in January 2007 back to Middlesbrough. After a year break, he was loaned to Norwich City in January 2008, but had re-injured back to Boro. This was followed by his third knee surgery in 18 months. His first goal for Middlesbrough FC, he scored 11 April 2009 against relegation rivals from Hull, the game was won 3-1.

When after the 2008/ 09 season, Middlesbrough relegated from the Premier League, there have been rumors according to which some clubs would be interested in the defender. Despite the many interested Premier League clubs Bates remained at Middlesbrough FC and signed a new three-year contract.

The new season ended for Bates on the 25th of July, when he drew upon his fourth serious knee injury. After it turned out a whole year, he was named in the 2010/11 season under manager Tony Mowbray captain and thus also had a regular place guarantee. Bates showed his eye for goal and scored a season total of three goals. The 2011/12 season began for the central defender terrific, because after the great performances at the beginning he was named Player of the Month in September.

Awards

As a player, Middlesbrough FC

  • FA Youth Cup 2003/ 04
  • UEFA Cup Finalist 2005/ 06
  • Football League Championship Player of the Month September 2011
Stockton-on-Tees England Defender (association football) Middlesbrough F.C. Ipswich Town F.C. Manchester United F.C. Hull City A.F.C.
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