Bates was born in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. He became a Football League assistant referee in 1993, and took up the flag during the Charity Shield match at Wembley on 13 August 1995, when Everton beat Blackburn Rovers 1–0 courtesy of a Vinny Samways goal. He fulfilled the same role for UEFA, and ran the line in the Euro 96 group match between Germany and the Czech Republic. He was also an assistant referee for Dermot Gallagher during the 1996 FA Cup Final at Wembley on 11 May 1996, when Manchester United beat Liverpool 1–0, with Eric Cantona scoring the only goal.