Player Profile

Bates joined the club in January 1978 from Shrewsbury, after questioning the lack of professionalism at Gay Meadow - a club he was later to return to as manager! Ironically, he made his Town debut at Shrewsbury on the 20th January, where he helped the Town to a 3-2 win.

He made fourteen appearances before the end of that season, but only scored once - not a good record for a centre forward. He endeared himself to the Town crowd the following season, becoming the Town's top scorer with fourteen goals.

The emergence of Andy Rowland and Alan Mayes as the club's first choice strike partnership kept Bates out of the side for the majority of the 1979/1980 season, and he made just seven appearances, three as substitute. The lack of first team opportunity prompted his move to Bristol Rovers in March 1980.

Bates later returned to the County Ground, as an assistant to both Lou Macari and Ossie Ardiles during the Town's revival later in the 1980's.

Playing Record

Senior

Reserve and Youth Team Appearances

Note that appearance data for reserve and youth teams may not be complete. Expand for more information.

Career details

Club	Details
West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion	December 1964 (schoolboy)
Tipton Town Tipton Town
Stourbridge Stourbridge	August 1969
Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town	May 1974
Swindon Town Swindon	January 25th, 1978
Bristol Rovers Bristol Rovers	March 10th, 1980
Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town	December 1980  July 23rd, 1984 (player-manager)
Swindon Town Swindon	rptd January 11th, 1988 (assistant manager)
Stoke City Stoke City	May 1991 (assistant manager) October 26th, 1993 (caretaker)
Celtic Celtic	November 9th, 1993 (assistant manager)
Stoke City Stoke City	October 1994 (assistant manager) July 1st, 1997 (manager)
Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town	1999 (assistant manager) November 8th, 1999 (caretaker) November 16th, 1999 (assistant manager) October 22nd, 2004 (caretaker) November 15th, 2004 (assistant manager) ; retired