It’s hard to believe Matthew Bates is only 30-years-old.The former Middlesbrough defender has enjoyed an eventful career full of ups and downs.
And in a new, exclusive interview with Gazette Boro Editor Philip Tallentire, he looks back over his career and also looks ahead to the future.
Currently a member of Craig Harrison’s coaching staff at Hartlepool, Bates was a member of the Middlesbrough team that won the FA Youth Cup final in 2004 and he made his Premier League debut at the tender age of 18 at Tottenham the following year.
A bright career beckoned but his progress was hampered by a heart-breaking series of cruciate knee ligament tears.
Bates showed incredible fortitude to fight back from no less that five such setbacks and went on the captain the club he supported as a boy.
After leaving Boro he played for Bristol City, Bradford and, most recently, Hartlepool, where he was appointed caretaker manager at the end of last season.
By his own admission, Bates’ career “has flown by” but it’s well worth reliving, so why not listen to the Gazette’s latest podcast. Please excuse the sound quality. The canteen was very busy!
You can also enjoy this feature on Bates, Craig Harrison and Paul Jenkins as the three ex-Boro men allow us access behind the scenes at Pools: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/day-shadowing-three-ex-middlesbrough-13755579 For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices