While still playing for that club, he was selected for the England youth team, and played in a match against Northern Ireland youth at Prenton Park, Tranmere Rovers' ground, in April 1974.
[2][3] Oates signed for Fourth Division club Scunthorpe United in August 1974.
He made his debut during the 1974–75 Football League season, and gradually established himself as a first-team regular over his first couple of years with the club.
[4] In November 1979, by which time he was captain of Scunthorpe, he was moved from his customary centre half position to play as a midfielder, and scored both goals in a 2–0 defeat of Rochdale.
[4] He spent one season with Rochdale, also in the Fourth Division, before moving back into non-league football with Watton United.