 As of May 2016, Bates is second behind Ken Coote on Brentford's all-time appearances list.Bates joined Second Division club Wycombe Wanderers on 25 March 1999 on a three-year contract.It was his second spell with the club, after a brief loan during the 1986–87 season, while the Chairboys were members of the Isthmian League Premier Division.