Bates delighted to captain Boro

Last updated : 01 December 2010 By BBC Sport

Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates reveals his pride at captaining his boyhood team in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hull City.The 23-year-old academy graduate made his Boro debut in December 2004 but Saturday's game at the Riverside was his first as skipper.

"It was a nice moment, I've supported the club since I was a kid, as have my family," Bates told BBC Tees.

"It was nice to wear the armband, and it was a great occasion for me."

Bates added: "Since the gaffer [Tony Mowbray] has been here, he has seen something in me that he thought would make me a good captain.

"So I've just carried on as I have been, I didn't want to approach anything different, treat the lads any different, I just trained for the game the same and played the game the same."

Bates has made 17 appearances Boro this season, scoring one goal.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport