Matthew Bates: podcast appearances and interviews

Matthew David Bates, born on December 10, 1986, in Stockton-on-Tees, is an English football coach and former professional footballer. He holds a UEFA B coaching licence and has been involved in various roles within football both on and off the pitch. Bates began his youth career with Manchester United before moving to Middlesbrough, where he demonstrated his footballing potential. After winning the FA Youth Cup, he had a successful loan spell with Darlington and became a part of Middlesbrough's first team during the 2005–06 season. He was also a member of the Middlesbrough squad that finished as runners-up in the UEFA Cup. Bates had multiple loan spells with Ipswich Town and Norwich City before being named Middlesbrough's captain in 2010. His subsequent career included short-term deals and transfers to clubs such as Bristol City, Bradford City, and Hartlepool United. During his time at Hartlepool, he served as caretaker manager in two seasons and was appointed as the club's head coach after impressing during his caretaker periods. His tenure saw him maintaining Hartlepool in the National League before he was released in November 2018. Between 2022 and 2024, Bates served as the assistant manager at Whitby Town. His diverse experiences as a player and coach reflect a long-standing involvement in professional football.