var playerInfo={"6A0E980854EFD8AD1B424574AD15DF0D":"2014-7-1","94D0847B815EE9D1AA49123A5072B2C7":"

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>","BCB817AACBF8A2A6870B9B82788BC0CB":"2","2134628892B06B90":"Matthew Bates","BA50BEB0DB40F3ADF7C4575FF4221F17":"","D41F91B0720932DCFCEBDA572EB68D71":"1986-12-10","8025E7E497D77CF6":"Hartlepool United FC","4039037DD85D60421E356E7B3EA31BE5":"Bradford AFC,Crawley Town,Bristol City,Middlesbrough,Norwich City,Ipswich","EABD711929A60B526AB9CD802EC5F0A7":"26","99B9FE00554E753D0BC6E1E16DA9F791":"Bradford AFC","BFA4903D06441BD5032C18CFE9B50683":"","C94C0D651EC157BC":"77kg","C403D9D9F071ACF5":"24137","411CCFA197052F93":"Matthew Bates","797F91F0051E8E7502912D1DDA7DF5C1":"England","FAF88D97B63B269A":"178cm","BDC97245F9A52F8B":"772","60DC9D976694DF52":"1","e_index":9};