Matthew Bates

Bristol City In November 2012, Bates signed for Championship side Bristol City on a short-term deal until January 2013. He made his debut on 17 November in a 1–1 draw away to Blackpool, conceding a penalty in the 90th minute for handball, which Tom Ince converted. On 8 May 2013, Bates was released by City.

Bradford City On 13 October 2013, Bates signed a 3-month deal with Bradford City. On 15 January 2014, Bates signed a new deal with Bradford City until the end of the season.

Hartlepool United Bates joined Hartlepool United in June 2014. Bates' playing stint with Hartlepool was ravaged by injuries with the defender making 77 league appearances in four years with the club.

International career Bates was capped by England at youth level. Hartlepool won 2–1 in dramatic fashion on the final day of the season against Doncaster Rovers but this result was not enough, as a late Newport County goal saw Hartlepool relegated from the Football League for the first time in their history. When Craig Harrison was appointed as Hartlepool's first-team manager in May 2017, Bates moved into a coaching role with the club's U21s side.

On 21 February 2018, Bates took charge of Hartlepool again following the dismissal of Craig Harrison. Bates lost his first two games in charge as caretaker manager but managed to turn around the club's poor form and a crucial three-game win streak against Barrow, Bromley and Maidstone United led to him winning the Manager of the Month award for March 2018.

After keeping Hartlepool in the division, Bates was appointed as permanent first-team manager in May 2018. After six successive league defeats, Bates was sacked as Hartlepool manager in November 2018 with the club in 13th position.

In September 2022, it was announced that Bates had joined Northern Premier League side Whitby Town as their assistant manager. Bates left Whitby in May 2024 to take up a scouting role at another club.

Personal life Matthew has a son with Chanelle Hayes.

Career statistics

Managerial statistics

+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecordHartlepool United (caretaker)24 April 201726 May 2017 Hartlepool United21 February 201828 November 2018 Total

Honours As a player Middlesbrough FA Youth Cup: 2003–04

As a manager Individual National League Manager of the Month: March 2018