Bates began his career at Championship side Coventry City, playing in their under-17s and being signed professionally as a 17-year-old.
[2] He appeared for Coventry during a time in which the club was trying to save money by playing younger players on short-term incentive deals.
[3] Bates appeared for Bedworth in 2004 after being picked up by United boss Mark Hallam.
[4] Bates also played for Rochdale, Nuneaton, Atherstone, and Leamington.
This biographical article related to association football in England, about a midfielder born in the 1980s, is a stub.