[1] He became a Football League assistant referee in 1993, and took up the flag during the Charity Shield match at Wembley on 13 August 1995,[1] when Everton beat Blackburn Rovers 1–0 courtesy of a Vinny Samways goal.
He was also an assistant referee for Dermot Gallagher during the 1996 FA Cup Final[1] at Wembley on 11 May 1996, when Manchester United beat Liverpool 1–0, with Eric Cantona scoring the only goal.
[1] One of his first appointments was the Third Division match between Hereford United and Doncaster Rovers at Edgar Street on 24 August 1996, when the home side won 1–0.
In 2004, former Liverpool and Denmark international Jan Molby was sent from the dugout by referee Bates after having verbally abused the fourth official during the old Third Division match between Southend United and Kidderminster Harriers.
Bates was the referee in charge of an FA Cup first round tie between Newport County and Swansea City at Newport Stadium on 11 November 2006,[11] when fourth official Alan Sheffield was struck by a coin thrown from the crowd, shortly after County manager Peter Beadle was sent from the technical area by Bates for verbal abuse of Sheffield during the game, and following a free kick given in favour of Swansea from which they scored.
[14] On 22 December 2007, he refereed the 1–1 draw in the Championship between Charlton and Hull City at The Valley,[15] and sent off Danny Mills for "foul and abusive language".