Adam Yates (footballer)
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{For|the British cyclist|Adam Yates}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Adam Yates
| image = Adam Yates.JPG
| caption = Yates as a Port Vale player in September 2010.
| fullname = Adam Paul Yates{{Hugman|25826|accessdate=9 March 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|5|28|df=y}}{{cite web|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10381~14553,00.html|title=Name: Adam Yates|work=port-vale.co.uk|accessdate=13 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902054132/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10381~14553,00.html|archive-date=2 September 2011|url-status=dead}}
| birth_place = Werrington, Staffordshire, England
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}
| position = Right-back
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1992–2002| youthclubs1 = Crewe Alexandra
| years1 = 2002–2004| clubs1 = Crewe Alexandra | caps1 = 0| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2003–2004| clubs2 = → Halifax Town (loan) | caps2 = 12| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2004–2006| clubs3 = Leek Town | caps3 = 80| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2006–2009| clubs4 = Morecambe | caps4 = 121| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2008 | clubs5 = → Burton Albion (loan) | caps5 = 6| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2009–2018| clubs6 = Port Vale | caps6 = 212| goals6 = 4
| years7 = 2015 | clubs7 = → Northampton Town (loan) | caps7 = 1| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2017 | clubs8 = → Macclesfield Town (loan)| caps8 = 7| goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 439 | totalgoals = 8
| nationalyears1 = 2006–2007| nationalteam1 = England C| nationalcaps1 = 3| nationalgoals1 = 0
}}
Adam Paul Yates (born 28 May 1983) is an English former professional footballer who played as a right-back. He made 520 league and cup appearances in a 16-year career as a professional and also won three caps as a semi-pro international with England.
Having spent ten years at the Crewe Alexandra Academy, he turned professional with the club in 2002. He spent five months of the 2003–04 season on loan at Conference club Halifax Town, though he was released by his parent club at the end of the season, never having made a first-team appearance for Crewe. He then spent two seasons at Northern Premier League side Leek Town before he was signed by Morecambe in August 2006. He helped the club win promotion into the English Football League as the Conference National's play-off winners in 2007. He played 54 games in 2007–08, though he started the 2008–09 season on loan at Conference Premier club Burton Albion.
He signed with Port Vale in June 2009 and made the right-back slot his own in the 2009–10, 2010–11 and 2011–12 campaigns. He helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13. He lost his first-team place in August 2015 and was loaned to Northampton Town and then to Macclesfield Town in August 2017 to help him overcome a serious injury which caused him to miss the entire 2016–17 season. However, he was forced to retire in March 2018 after picking up a serious head injury earlier in the season.
Club career
=Crewe Alexandra=
Yates graduated through the ranks of the Crewe Alexandra youth system to become a professional in 2002 and spent five months on loan with Conference club Halifax Town from November to April of the 2003–04 season.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/3267439.stm|title=Halifax sign Yates|date=13 November 2003|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/3674677.stm|title=Halifax release septet|date=30 April 2004|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}} He made his senior debut on 14 November, in a 2–2 draw at Burton Albion.{{cite news|title=Burton Albion 2-2 Halifax|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/3252893.stm|accessdate=27 March 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 November 2003}} Forced to compete with Darren Hockenhull for the right-back position at The Shay, Yates said that "It was a lot more competitive than the reserve team games I had been playing at Crewe".{{cite news|title=Loan is just fine for Adam|url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/loan-is-just-fine-for-adam-1-1956632|accessdate=27 March 2018|work=Halifax Courier|date=22 November 2003|language=en}} He was sent off for his part in a Boxing Day "mass brawl" during a 1–0 home victory over Scarborough; teammate James Dudgeon and opposition players Matt Redmile and Wayne Gill were also dismissed.{{cite news|title=Police probe Town post-match fracas|url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/police-probe-town-post-match-fracas-1-1954723|accessdate=27 March 2018|work=Halifax Courier|date=28 November 2005|language=en}} He played a total of 13 games for Halifax. After being released by "Railwaymen" manager Dario Gradi in May 2004, never having made the first-team at Gresty Road, he signed for Leek Town.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Crewe-exit-saved-career-says-Yates/article-2816482-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Crewe exit saved my career, says Yates|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=30 October 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=30 October 2010}}
=Leek Town=
In February 2005, he had a trial with Port Vale, the team he had supported as a boy, but did not impress manager Martin Foyle and was not signed to a contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-New-boy-Yates-point-prove/article-1088389-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: New boy Yates has point to prove|date=18 June 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=18 June 2009}} Instead he returned to Harrison Park and became an almost permanent presence in the "Blues" defence during 2005–06 season, putting in a total of fifty appearances, also scoring once in the Northern Premier League.{{cite web|url=http://www.leektown.co.uk/2005/2005players.php|title=Leek Town's record 2005/06|work=leektown.co.uk|accessdate=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805142755/http://www.leektown.co.uk/2005/2005players.php|archive-date=5 August 2009|url-status=dead}}
=Morecambe=
After impressing Sammy McIlroy in a pre-season friendly in 2006, he was signed by Morecambe in August 2006.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/morecambe/4776899.stm|title=Leek defender to join Morecambe |date=9 August 2006|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}} He scored his first goal for Morecambe in their 2–1 victory at Southport on 26 December 2006.{{cite news|title=Southport 1-2 Morecambe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6205769.stm|accessdate=27 March 2018|publisher=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2006}} His return to the English Football League came at the end of the 2006–07 season as the "Shrimps" achieved promotion from the Conference National as play-off winners by beating Exeter City 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news|title=BBC Sport {{!}} Football {{!}} Non League {{!}} Exeter 1-2 Morecambe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/6649837.stm|accessdate=12 February 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 May 2007}} He made 54 appearances in the 2007–08 campaign, as Morecambe consolidated their Football League status. He was loaned to Burton Albion in August 2008.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/burton_albion/7587979.stm|title=Brewers loan in Morecambe's Yates |date=29 August 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}} Immediately on his return to Christie Park in October he returned to the first-team. After having featured heavily in the 2008–09 season, Morecambe offered him a new contract, though he rejected the offer after deciding his future lay elsewhere.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Undefined-Headline/article-1084682-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Yates signs Valiants deal|date=17 June 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=17 June 2009}}
=Port Vale=
File:Adam Yates1.png before the match against Northampton Town on 20 April 2013.]]
Targeted by manager Dean Glover, Port Vale continued the hunt for his signature even after Glover's departure.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8066764.stm|title=Vale closing in on defender Yates |date=25 May 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}} Yates decided to wait until a manager was appointed before signing for the club,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8074156.stm|title=Vale target Yates' future unclear |date=1 June 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090608062153/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8074156.stm| archivedate= 8 June 2009 | url-status= live}} and after Micky Adams was made manager Yates signed a two-year deal with the Vale.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8105328.stm|title=Valiants capture defender Yates |date=17 June 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=17 June 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090620201632/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8105328.stm| archivedate= 20 June 2009 | url-status= live}} He was forced to wait until 22 August before he made his competitive debut for the club,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/8207892.stm|title= Port Vale 1 – 0 Darlington|date=21 August 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 August 2009}} as Sam Stockley had impressed in the right-back position in the pre-season and opening few games of the 2009–10 season. He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after manager Micky Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm|title=Adams puts Vale squad up for sale |date=27 September 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=27 September 2009}} Following Stockley's retirement in November, Yates was expected to fill the void,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8340528.stm|title=Yates can stake claim, says Adams |date=3 November 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=3 November 2009| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091106214718/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8340528.stm| archivedate= 6 November 2009 | url-status= live}} though he faced competition for the right-wing-back spot from Anthony Griffith.{{cite web |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1890678,00.html |title=Yates: We Gave a Good Account |date=30 November 2009 |work=port-vale.co.uk |accessdate=1 December 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091201172655/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10381~1890678%2C00.html |archivedate=1 December 2009 |url-status=dead}} In his first game in almost a month he scored his first goal at Vale Park, scoring the opener of a 1–1 draw with Stevenage Borough in the FA Cup First Round.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Match-report-Port-Vale-1-Stevenage-Borough-1-FA-Cup/article-1492588-detail/article.html|title=Match report: Port Vale 1 Stevenage Borough 1 – FA Cup|date=7 November 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=7 November 2009}}{{cite web |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1870224,00.html |title=Yates on First Goal |date=8 November 2009 |work=port-vale.co.uk |accessdate=9 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111170623/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10381~1870224%2C00.html |archivedate=11 November 2009 |url-status=dead}} By February 2010 he was managing to maintain a first-team place,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8517526.stm|title=Adam Yates praises Port Vale goalkeeper Chris Martin |date=17 February 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=17 February 2010}} helped by the team's change of formation from 3–4–3 to 4–4–2.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Yates-happy-sit-defensive-laurels/article-2468850-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Yates happy to sit back on his defensive laurels|date=29 July 2010|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=29 July 2010}}
He continued to make the right-back spot his own in the 2010–11 season, and in February 2011 he became the first player to enter new contract negotiations with new manager Jim Gannon.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9387327.stm|title=Port Vale defender Adam Yates hopes for contract talks|date=4 February 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 February 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110208025215/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9387327.stm| archivedate= 8 February 2011 | url-status= live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Port-Vale-Vale-ready-reward-impressive-Yates-new-contract/article-3183139-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Vale ready to reward impressive Yates with new contract|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=4 February 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=5 February 2011}} Despite Gannon's swift departure, contract talks continued on a new two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Trio-offered-chance-extend-Vale-Park-stay/article-3426334-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Trio offered chance to extend Vale Park stay|last=Shaw|first=Steve|date=8 April 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=8 April 2011}} After playing in all 54 of the club's games that season, he put pen to paper on the deal in May 2011.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/9482906.stm|title=Port Vale offer Micky Adams manager position |accessdate=11 May 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2011}} Micky Adams returned as manager for the 2011–12 campaign, and he continued to name Yates as his first-choice right-back. However, Adams signed centre-back Liam Chilvers and veteran full-back Rob Kozluk in September,{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15025381.stm|title=Port Vale sign Rob Kozluk and Liam Chilvers|publisher=bbc.co.uk|date=22 May 2011|accessdate=22 May 2011}} and so Yates lost his first-team place to Kozluk, and put in 'extra work' in training to try and force his way back onto the teamsheet.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15236475.stm|title=Adam Yates eager to regain place in Port Vale team|date=10 October 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 October 2011}} His efforts paid off, as he quickly won his first-team place back,{{cite news|title=Port Vale's Adam Yates targets FA Cup third round place|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15815646.stm|accessdate=21 November 2011|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=21 November 2011}} and Kozluk was released in December.{{cite news|title=Port Vale release defender Rob Kozluk|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16319135.stm|accessdate=23 December 2011|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=23 December 2011}} He scored his first league goal for the club by providing the equaliser in the 2–1 Boxing Day victory at Hereford United.{{cite news|title=Hereford 1 – 2 Port Vale|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16240571.stm|accessdate=26 December 2011|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2011}} In February, he picked up knee ligament damage and was unable to play for several weeks.{{cite news|title=Port Vale: Double setback rocks Valiants|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Double-setback-rocks-Valiants/story-15256575-detail/story.html|accessdate=17 February 2012|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=17 February 2012}} He hit his third goal for the "Valiants" on 9 April, in a 1–0 win over Macclesfield Town.{{cite news|title=Port Vale 1 – 0 Macclesfield|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17581365|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=9 April 2012}}
He lost his first-team place to Richard Duffy at the start of the 2012–13 season. He was returned to the starting line-up at the end of October after Duffy was sidelined with a twisted ankle.{{cite news|last=Pearson|first=Guy|title=Positive Yates ready to reap his reward with big chance|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=27 October 2012}} Duffy returned to the first-team after making his recovery. However, Yates was preferred in the end-of-season run-in and hoped to win a new contract in the summer.{{cite news|title=Yates hoping to follow Vale into League One|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Yates-hoping-follow-Vale-League/story-18652882-detail/story.html#axzz2PiaD41PI|accessdate=9 April 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=9 April 2013}} He was named in the League Two Team of the Week for his performance in a 3–2 win at Dagenham & Redbridge on 29 December.{{cite news |title=League 2 Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2012/december/league-2-team-of-the-week/ |accessdate=8 October 2019 |work=efl.com |date=31 December 2012 |language=en-gb}} Vale secured promotion with a third-place finish at the end of the season, with Yates making 32 appearances. He agreed to sign a new two-year contract in the summer.{{cite web|last=Parsons|first=Chris|title=Yates commits to Vale|url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/article/20130603-yatessigns-852850.aspx|work=port-vale.co.uk|accessdate=5 June 2013}} Yates remained a key first-team player during the 2013–14 season and played 41 games as the club posted a ninth-place finish in League One. Swiss youth international Frédéric Veseli was brought in on loan to replace him at right-back. Still, Yates won back his first-team place in November after consistent performances.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Why this defender is Mike Baggaley's player of the month for November|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-defender-Mike-Baggaley-s-player-month/story-25021063-detail/story.html|accessdate=2 December 2014|work=The Sentinel|date=2 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520133840/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-defender-Mike-Baggaley-s-player-month/story-25021063-detail/story.html|archive-date=20 May 2015|url-status=dead}} He ended the season with 28 appearances to his name as Veseli eventually won back his first-team place.{{cite news|title=Adam Yates among 16 out of contract Vale players|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Adam-Yates-16-contract-Vale-players/story-26368000-detail/story.html|accessdate=18 May 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=22 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520082248/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Adam-Yates-16-contract-Vale-players/story-26368000-detail/story.html|archive-date=20 May 2015|url-status=dead}} Yates signed a new one-year contract in June 2015.{{cite news|title=Adam Yates: Port Vale defender signs new one-year contract|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33137502|accessdate=16 June 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 June 2015}}
Having held the club's number 2 shirt for five seasons, he was demoted to number 16 for the 2015–16 season as new right-back Ben Purkiss was handed the number 2 shirt.{{cite news|title=Fitness guru not the nightmare we feared says Adam Yates|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Fitness-guru-nightmare-feared-says-Adam/story-27518714-detail/story.html|accessdate=31 July 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=31 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810035241/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Fitness-guru-nightmare-feared-says-Adam/story-27518714-detail/story.html|archive-date=10 August 2015|url-status=dead}} On 24 August, Yates joined League Two side Northampton Town on a one-month loan in order to provide "Cobblers" manager Chris Wilder with cover for the suspended Josh Lelan and injured Brendan Moloney.{{cite news|title=Adam Yates: Port Vale defender joins Northampton Town on loan|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34042477|accessdate=24 August 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 August 2015}} He played three games for the club, including a League Cup defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park, before his loan spell was ended early by a thigh injury.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Adam Yates back at Vale after injury|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Adam-Yates-Vale-injury/story-27760745-detail/story.html|accessdate=9 September 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=8 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132620/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Adam-Yates-Vale-injury/story-27760745-detail/story.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}} He then returned to the Vale first-team on 14 November as cover for an injured Purkiss. His performances meant he retained his place once Purkiss returned to fitness.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Adam Yates on internet trolls and the retained list|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Adam-Yates-internet-trolls-retained/story-28254499-detail/story.html|accessdate=27 November 2015|work=The Sentinel|date=27 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202025021/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Adam-Yates-internet-trolls-retained/story-28254499-detail/story.html|archive-date=2 December 2015|url-status=dead}} He signed a new one-year contract in June 2016.{{cite news|title=Adam Yates: Port Vale defender agrees to stay at League One club|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36528279|accessdate=14 June 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 June 2016}} However, the following month he was told by surgeons that he had been playing for months with an ankle cruciate ligament injury and was ruled out of action for the whole of the 2016–17 season to allow the injury to heal properly.{{cite news|last1=Sharpe|first1=Rich|title=Port Vale: Adam Yates to miss seven months with an injury he's carried for up to a year|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-adam-yates-to-miss-seven-months-with-injury-he-s-carried-for-up-to-a-year/story-29560872-detail/story.html|accessdate=28 July 2016|work=The Sentinel|date=28 July 2016}}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was named as Community Foundation Trust Player of the Year in May 2017 and signed a new one-year contract with the club three months later.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale's player of year Smith philosophical about future|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-s-player-of-the-year-nathan-smith-philosophical-about-transfer-gossip/story-30308920-detail/story.html|accessdate=2 May 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=2 May 2017|language=en|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503092703/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-s-player-of-the-year-nathan-smith-philosophical-about-transfer-gossip/story-30308920-detail/story.html|archivedate=3 May 2017}}{{cite news|title=Adam Yates extends his stay with Port Vale|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/adam-yates-extends-his-stay-with-port-vale/story-30469680-detail/story.html|accessdate=4 August 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=4 August 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804213824/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/adam-yates-extends-his-stay-with-port-vale/story-30469680-detail/story.html|archive-date=4 August 2017|url-status=dead}}
On 5 August 2017, Yates joined National League side Macclesfield Town on a one-month loan to help his return to match fitness.{{cite news|title=Macclesfield Town Sign Port Vale Defender Adam Yates on Loan|url=https://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/macclesfield-town-sign-port-vale-defender-adam-yates-on-loan|accessdate=5 August 2017|work=mtfc.co.uk|date=5 August 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805220336/https://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/macclesfield-town-sign-port-vale-defender-adam-yates-on-loan|archive-date=5 August 2017|url-status=dead}} He made his debut for John Askey's "Silkmen" later that day in a 1–0 victory at Wrexham.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Mike|title=Port Vale's Adam Yates makes winning start at Macclesfield Town|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/port-vale-s-adam-yates-makes-winning-start-at-macclesfield/story-30470503-detail/story.html|accessdate=16 August 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=5 August 2017|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He made seven appearances during his stay at Moss Rose. After returning to Port Vale, he collided with goalkeeper Sam Hornby during a reserve team match with former club Morecambe in November and came out with a fractured nose, cheekbones and eye sockets as well as a broken upper jaw and wrist; manager Neil Aspin said "I have never seen, on a football pitch, someone get the extent of the injuries he has got".{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale's Adam Yates suffers fractured nose, cheekbones, jaw and wrist|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vales-adam-yates-suffers-857012|accessdate=1 December 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=30 November 2017}} He was given an extension to his contract the following month, with chairman Norman Smurthwaite saying "I felt it was our duty to support a player who had given so much service to the club".{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale agree contract extension with Adam Yates|url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-agree-contract-extension-964606|accessdate=22 December 2017|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=22 December 2017}} Yates announced his retirement as a player in March 2018, though stayed on at the club to work at the Port Vale Foundation Trust.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Port Vale's Adam Yates retires from playing|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vales-adam-yates-retires-1346070|accessdate=27 March 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=27 March 2018}} At the end of the 2017–18 season he was named as Community Player of the Year and Clubman of the Year.{{cite news|last1=Baggaley|first1=Michael|title=Tom Pope makes history at Port Vale player of the year awards|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/tom-pope-makes-history-port-1512455|accessdate=30 April 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=28 April 2018}} After a public vote held in December 2019, he was named by The Sentinel as Port Vale's best right-back of the 2010s with 62% of the vote, ahead of James Gibbons (27%) and Ben Purkiss (11%).{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Results revealed as Port Vale fans select right back for Team of the Decade |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/results-revealed-port-vale-fans-3690173 |accessdate=30 December 2019 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=30 December 2019}}
International career
Yates made his England National Game XI debut against the Netherlands{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/6164834.stm|title=Fairclough alters National squad |date=20 November 2006|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}} in a 4–1 victory on 29 November 2006. Named in a friendly against Northern Ireland in February 2007,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/6311231.stm|title=Donaldson makes England XI squad |date=29 January 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}} he was unable to feature due to injury.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/6358257.stm|title=Fairclough plotting next phase |last=Oliver|first=Pete|date=13 February 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}} He was also named in the 2007 Four Nations Tournament squad for England.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/6596503.stm|title=Four Nations squads are announced |date=4 May 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 June 2009}}
Style of play
Yates was a solid and dependable right-back who was able to create chances with his crossing ability and had good natural fitness.{{cite news|last1=Pope|first1=Tom|title=Underrated player Adam Yates will be brilliant for Port Vale Foundation Trust|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/sport-opinion/tom-pope-1401751|accessdate=31 March 2018|work=Stoke Sentinel|date=31 March 2018}}
Personal and later life
Yates has two younger brothers, Ryan and Dominic; Ryan played for the Crewe Alexandra Academy. Yates was raised in Werrington, Staffordshire and attended Painsley High School in Cheadle. He was in the same year with Port Vale teammate Gareth Owen.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Yates-new-lease-life/article-1160518-detail/article.html|title=Port Vale: Yates has new lease of life|date=14 July 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=14 July 2009}} Yates left the school with one A*, five Bs and four Cs at GCSE level.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Valiants-tackle-lesson-time/article-1417968-detail/article.html|title=Valiants tackle lesson time|date=14 October 2009|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=8 November 2009}} He went on to complete a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting at Staffordshire University, alongside Port Vale teammates Gareth Owen, Justin Richards, and Ritchie Sutton.{{cite web|url=http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2010/11/19/footballing-classmates-square-up-as-port-vale-take-on-wycombe/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223113252/http://www.staffs.ac.uk/schools/art_and_design/journalism/staffslive/wordpress/2010/11/19/footballing-classmates-square-up-as-port-vale-take-on-wycombe/ |url-status=dead |archivedate=23 December 2012 |title=Footballing classmates square up as Port Vale take on Wycombe |last=Morris |first=Sam |author2=Ted Woodward |author3=Sam Fitch |date=19 November 2010 |work=Staffs Live |accessdate=6 December 2010 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Robbie-Earle-Career-football-daunting-prospect/story-12819575-detail/story.html|title=Robbie Earle: Career after football can be daunting prospect|last=Earle|first=Robbie|date=23 June 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=23 June 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930120518/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Robbie-Earle-Career-football-daunting-prospect/story-12819575-detail/story.html|archivedate=30 September 2012}} Yates and teammate Tom Pope began the 2011–12 season as joint-managers of local amateur Sunday League side Sneyd,{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Sunday-football-Tough-start-Vale-duo/story-13237071-detail/story.html|title=Sunday football: Tough start for Vale duo|date=31 August 2011|work=The Sentinel|accessdate=31 August 2011}} fitting their management duties around their professional careers at Vale Park. The pair took the club to the Potteries and District Premier Division title and the final of the Sentinel Sunday Cup in 2012–13.{{cite news|title=Dorryl Proffitt nets winner for Baddeley Green against Sneyd in Sentinel Cup final|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Football-Dorryl-Proffitt-nets-winner-Baddeley/story-19001114-detail/story.html#axzz2T1BPj2R3|accessdate=16 May 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=16 May 2013}}{{cite news|title=Sneyd lose at Caverswall, but still claim Premier title|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Sneyd-lose-Caverswall-claim-Premier-title/story-19111796-detail/story.html#axzz2UOrLB7c1|accessdate=28 May 2013|newspaper=The Sentinel|date=28 May 2013}}
After retiring as a player, Yates began working at the Hubb Foundation charity, ran by Port Vale chairwoman Carol Shanahan.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title='As much support as we can' - Ex Port Vale player helping in coronavirus crisis |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/coronavirus-port-vale-charity-yates-3999978 |accessdate=30 March 2020 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=30 March 2020}} He also worked as a matchday summariser for BBC Radio Stoke.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Recruitment, winning ugly and a pivotal few weeks at Port Vale |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/recruitment-winning-ugly-and-a-pivotal |access-date=27 November 2023 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=27 November 2023}}
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yates, Adam}}
Category:People from Werrington, Staffordshire
Category:Footballers from Stoke-on-Trent
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Morecambe F.C. players
Category:Crewe Alexandra F.C. players
Category:Halifax Town A.F.C. players
Category:Leek Town F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Alumni of Staffordshire University
Category:Port Vale F.C. non-playing staff