Arthur Bate

Who is Arthur Bate?

Arthur Bate was an English professional footballer who played predominantly as a centre forward and occasionally as an outside-right. Born in Little Hulton, he began his career playing amateur football with nearby club Walkden PM. During this time, Bate had a trial with Football League club Bury but this was unsuccessful and he instead transferred to Little Hulton United. Following a trial with Winsford United in August 1929, Bate joined Lancashire Combination outfit Chorley in October of the same year.

He was signed on professional terms in the summer of 1930 by Football League Third Division North club Nelson. Bate made his League debut on 30 August 1930 and scored a hat-trick, yet still finished on the losing side in a 4–5 defeat to Rochdale. He then scored two goals in the 3–1 victory over Darlington on 6 September 1930. It was then almost two months before he got on the scoresheet again, his sixth goal for Nelson coming in the 1–7 loss away at Tranmere Rovers on 1 November 1930. After suffering a loss of form, Bate was left out of the team for two months in mid-season, before playing a nine games in an unfamiliar outside-right position throughout February and March 1931. After three matches out of the team, he was reinstated as centre-forward for the trip to Barrow on 11 April 1931. He kept his place in the side for the next three matches, Nelson's final games in the Football League. After a total of 24 appearances and six goals, Bate left Nelson following their failed re-election to the League.