Mick Bates (footballer)

Mick Bates (born 19 September 1947) is an English footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for Leeds United, Walsall, Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers.^[1] He is best known for playing for Leeds during the Revie Period.

Bates was born in Armthorpe, Doncaster,^[1] and began his football career as an apprentice with Leeds United. Although primarily a "super-sub" at Elland Road, not being able to break in to the starting eleven due to Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles not releasing their places in the sides, Bates was still a very useful part of Don Revie's Leeds squad of the 1960s. Signing professional forms in 1964, Bates made 187 appearances for Leeds scoring nine goals, including one against Juventus in the 2–2 first leg of the Fairs Cup Final of 1971 away in Turin. This goal along with a 1–1 score-line at Elland Road helped Leeds to triumph in the competition with Leeds winning on the away goals rule.^[2] He remained loyal to Leeds for 12 years despite the fact he would have probably retained a regular place in most other sides. A repetition of knee injuries between 1974 and 1976 kept him out of the squad for much of that time. He eventually left Leeds in the summer of 1976,^[3] going to Walsall for £25,000. Bates later had spells at Bradford City, from 1978 to 1980 joining for £20,000 and Doncaster Rovers, joining for free. He retired from professional football in 1981.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Mick Bates". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/mickbates.htm. Retrieved 15 February 2010. 
2. ^ Courtney, Barrie (9 January 2008). "European Competitions 1970–71". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/ec/ec197071.html. Retrieved 14 February 2010. 
3. ^ "Mick Bates Leeds United FC". Football Heroes. Sporting Heroes Collections. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=38249. Retrieved 15 February 2010. 

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Name	Bates, Mick
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Date of birth	19 September 1947
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