Saints mourn Bates loss

Bates managed Southampton for 18 years

Southampton are mourning the death of club president Ted Bates at the age of 85.

Bates' contribution to Saints is unique in football, having served the club in numerous roles for an unbroken 66 years.

His long service with the club earned him an MBE and the Freedom of the City of Southampton.

Bates signed for Southampton as an inside-forward from Norwich in 1937.

When his playing career ended, he took over from George Roughton as Saints manager in September 1955.

His 18-year reign as manager at The Dell was a by-word for longevity.

During his time in charge, he took Saints into the First Division for the first time in 1965, and also presided over their first sorties into Europe.

He has possibly made the single greatest contribution to this club to put it where it is today Saints chairman Rupert Lowe

Bates was a shrewd manager who kept the small south coast club in the top flight with some inspired signings.

He always claimed his best signing was Welsh centre-forward Ron Davies, coveted by Sir Matt Busby as "the best striker in Europe" after he scored four goals at Old Trafford.

Bates handed over the managerial reins to Lawrie McMenemy in November 1973.

Saints used Bates' experience in the role of chief executive to shepherd McMenemy through some difficult early years in charge.

Later he became a director, and was honoured with his appointment as club president.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe acknowledged Bates as the architect who laid the foundations which converted Southampton from a small, provincial club, into one of the Premiership's best-established outfits.

Lowe said: "He has possibly made the single greatest contribution to this club to put it where it is today and his record will surely never be equalled anywhere.

"It was a privilege to have known him and worked alongside him.

"His knowledge of the game was unrivalled and he was still a good judge of a player right up to the most recent games he attended.

"In many ways he epitomised what this club is all about with his decency and dignity, his loyalty, his ability and his experience.

"It is a very sad day for everyone involved with Southampton Football Club as well as for his family."

Bates, who died after a short illness, leaves a wife Mary and daughters Jo and Jackie.