Eric Gates

Ipswich Town

Gates was part of the Ipswich Town youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1973 and made his senior debut as an eighteen-year-old on 27 October 1973 at Portman Road replacing Roger Osborne during a 2–0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers in front of a crowd of 20,882. Gates would make a further 16 substitute appearances before he made his full debut against Derby County at The Baseball Ground in October 1975. Gates' first goal as a professional footballer came later that month in a 3–0 UEFA Cup victory against FC Bruges at Portman Road in the 1st leg of the 2nd round. Highlights of Gates' time at Ipswich Town include both goals in a 2–1 over FC Barcelona at Portman Road in the first leg of the 1979 Cup Winners Cup quarter final. He also scored a hatrick against Manchester City in a 4-0 win in December 1979. Gates contributed to Ipswich's victorious 1977–78 FA Cup campaign, making one appearance during the run against Cardiff City in the third round. However he wasn't part of the squad for the final itself. Gates' greatest moment was as part of the team that won the 1981 UEFA Cup Final against AZ Alkmaar, starting both legs of the final. Gates' final game came in a 1–0 defeat to West Ham United at Portman Road on 17 May 1985. He started 345 times for Ipswich Town with another 39 appearances as a substitute, under Bobby Robson, scoring 96 goals at an average of 1 goal every 4 games.

Sunderland

In 1985, Gates moved to Sunderland for £150,000…

Gates received two caps for the England national side in 1980. Gates made his International debut on 10 September 1980 against Norway in a 4–0 World Cup qualifying victory, his only other international appearance coming in a 2–1 World Cup qualifying defeat against Romania in Bucharest.

After retiring from football Gates worked for Century FM North East (now Real Radio North East) on The Legends Football Phone-In until May 2007, when he allegedly attempted to join BBC Radio Newcastle.

Ipswich Town

UEFA Cup: 1981 Sunderland

Football League Third Division: 1987–88 Individual

Sunderland Player of the Year: 1987–88 Ipswich Town Hall of Fame: Inducted 2012