find the back of the net in that match, it took Bates just 10 minutes into his next appearance to score his first Darlington goal, in a 2–0 reserves win against Hull City. Over the remainder of the season, Bates could not find a regular starting spot in the Darlington line-up, and played just nine games for one goal as the team finished 8th in the league. Bates was released by the club in May 2006,. He then played for KV Oostende in the Belgian Second Division. Drogheda United Bates signed for League of Ireland Premier Division leaders Drogheda United 31 July 2007. He scored the winner against Cork City which won the title for Drogheda for the first time ever in October 2007. Bates played for R.A.A. Louviéroise in the third division of Belgium before rejoining Drogheda on 8 July 2009 Glenavon On 7 July 2012, Bates signed a one-year contract with Irish League side Glenavon. Throughout the 2013–14 season, Bates enjoyed a good run of form, scoring over 20 goals, securing a top-6 finish for the Lurgan club along with the club's first Irish Cup since 1997. Despite earlier signing a two-year contract extension, Bates was to leave Glenavon on 31 August 2014 in order to emigrate to Australia. Bates played his last match for Glenavon on 31 August 2014 as a late sub in a 2–1 victory over Ballymena United but remained in contract with the club until June 2016 and therefore could rejoin the club when he returned to Northern Ireland. Linfield However, in June 2015 Linfield bought out the rest of Bates contract with Glenavon, becoming their fourth signing of the summer. Linfield manager Warren Feeney said Bates was a player he always admired, however Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton said he was let down by the player's decision to renege on the verbal agreement he had made. Bates found first-team opportunities at Linfield limited after David Healy succeeded Feeney as manager, and on 22 June 2016, it was announced that Bates' contract would be terminated by mutual consent. Second spell at Glenavon Bates resigned for the Lurgan Blues on a one-year deal on 19 July 2016, the same day former Celtic and Northern Ireland winger Paddy McCourt signed for the club. Bates left the club at the end of his contract. West Allotment Celtic Having taken time out from football following his departure from Glenavon,