Dean Keates

Peterborough United Keates was signed by League Two club Peterborough United on a three-year deal on 14 May 2007, having refused the offer of a new contract from Walsall.

Wycombe Wanderers On 21 January 2010, Keates signed for League One club Wycombe Wanderers on a 6-month contract. He scored his first, and only, goal for the club against Huddersfield Town on 3 April 2010. He was named captain for the season, and scored his first goal four games into the season with a 30-yard volley against former club Kidderminster Harriers. In the 2011–12 season Keates played in some major matches, including the FA Cup 3rd round match at Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion. A draw at Brighton's Falmer Stadium meant a replay was to be played at The Racecourse which Wrexham lost 4–5 on penalties, the only missed penalty being the first taken by Keates. There was also déjà vu at the end of the season, as Wrexham fell to another play-off semi-final defeat to Luton Town. Despite the disappointment, Keates signed a new one-year deal at the club at the end of the season. The 2012–13 season was disappointing one in the league as Wrexham missed out on a place in the play-offs, finishing in 10th place. The season was still to end with glory for the Dragons, however, as they reached the 2013 FA Trophy Final and beat Grimsby Town on penalties at Wembley Stadium. After becoming a fans' favourite during his time at the Racecourse, by making 180 appearances in total for the club as captain, he was released in May 2015.

Rhyl Following his release by Wrexham, Keates joined the coaching staff at the groundbreaking Glyndŵr Wrexham Football Academy. He joined in order to develop his coaching skills and complete his sports coaching degree at the university.

Rushall Olympic Keates returned to his roots by signing for Walsall-based Northern Premier League side Rushall Olympic in July 2016. He made seven appearances in the league and two in the FA Cup in a short spell for The Pics before leaving the club to take over as Wrexham manager.

Management career Wrexham Keates was appointed as Wrexham's new permanent manager on 25 October 2016 after a brief interim spell in charge after the sacking of Gary Mills. On 6 April 2019, Keates was dismissed as Walsall manager following a 3–1 home defeat to Oxford United. This followed winning just three, drawing three and losing 14 of Keates' last 20 games as manager. The following month Walsall were relegated to League Two.

Return to Wrexham Keates was re-appointed as Wrexham's new permanent manager on 6 October 2019 after the sacking of Bryan Hughes. Keates took over with Wrexham in 20th position, one place above the relegation places. On 1 December 2019 the Wrexham A.F.C. board publicly apologised to supporters for poor performances after crisis talks with Keates. This was immediately following a defeat against the then bottom-of-the-table side Ebbsfleet United F.C. Wrexham A.F.C. reached the lowest league position in their 155-year history. Following a 1–1 draw on the final day of the 2020–21 season, Wrexham having missed out on play-offs, Keates' contract was not renewed

Playing statistics

Managerial statistics

Honours Walsall Football League Second Division runner-up: 1998–99; play-offs: 2001 Football League Two: 2006–07

Hull City Football League Third Division runner-up: 2003–04

Peterborough United Football League One runner-up: 2008–09 Football League Two runner-up: 2007–08 runner-up: 2014–15

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2006–07 Football League Two Walsall Player of the Year: 2006–07 Conference Premier Team of the Year: 2012–13