var playerInfo={"9085EF0B5B518612":"77kg","F4AE865DDB6B58D9":"Matthew Bates","4ADA354908754559E53E3FA7C013DA37":"26","7DECC0B2C7F83A01B36F8F67FA49C295":"2014-7-1","5E5612EA3A8A833D":"178cm","2299C98649C2E7A9E5F02ED855F2A9FC":"Bradford AFC,Crawley Town,Bristol City,Middlesbrough,Norwich City,Ipswich","E17A5F6F92350E090E8BE67DDCE16BA0":"

TALL and skillful central defender who was an integral member of Boro's 2004 FA Youth Cup-winning team. <\/STRONG><\/P>

He had also played in the previous year's final, against Manchester United, while still a schoolboy.<\/P>

Teesside born and bred, Matthew has been with the club since he was 12 years old. <\/P>

Has represented England at U18 level and was called up for first team duty as 17-year-old when he was named on the bench for the games against Bolton, Chelsea and Southampton in April 2004. <\/P>

Was again a substitute for the historic UEFA Cup game against Banik Ostrava in September 2004.<\/P>

At youth team and Reserve level Matthew has developed a formidable central defensive partnership with David Wheater.<\/P>

Made his senior debut when playing for just over two minutes as he replaced Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in a game against Manchester City at the Riverside on December 6 2004.<\/P>

Signed a four and a half year contract in January 2005.<\/P>

Started a Premiership game for the first time on August 20 2005 against Spurs at White Hart Lane and continued to make his mark on the first team throughout the 2005\/06 season, playing at both right-back and his more usual positon of centre-back. <\/P>","C377723034B3384C":"772","38FCF119BEE99893":"Hartlepool United FC","776ABA890334BE6B3BFB7EFC5D96F457":"Bradford AFC","031D6804B38B16BF":"24137","2B1A74B80063A830":"1","3D0CAED1D8820318D15DE014CB00C4C7":"England","C497EA9EA23AEEDCAF9AD5DB76B19323":"","BFE43781BF2A8A9E3EADFCC3CC1AF971":"2","C99F63DD4716E450533B17E1817DB7B9":"1986-12-10","97B41D9FF6388BC00A2A0187557FA1F5":"","DC9241C78561BCD0":"Matthew Bates","e_index":6};