Having lost star man Stewart Downing and hot prospect Ross Turnbull, Boro needed a boost. And Matthew Bates provided it.
Out-of-contract Bates snubbed offers from Premiership sides West Ham and Wigan to sign a new, three-year deal.
Bates Gives Boro A Boost!
By Boro Mad
Updated Sunday, 19th July 2009
Head coach Colin Cooper: "I had a long chat with Matty after the West Ham game (at the end of last season), when his future was up in the air and a lot of people were sniffing around.
"I said to him, 'Do they have the same feeling for you? Would they have your best interests at heart?'. Matty's had three serious knee injuries, then rehab. We've always looked after him. You've got to want to be here, which he obviously does, but I like to think he had that (Boro's support) in mind when he decided to stay.
"Hopefully these horrific injuries are behind him, because I believe he's got his best years in front of him, and a really bright future.
"He came through with that FA Youth Cup winning team and we all know how well David Wheater has progressed. David's 6ft 4in but Matty's as good a footballer and arguably a more aggressive one. He's missed out, but this next year is a really big one for him.
"He's missed a couple of years of development but he's got that little bit extra about him to compete at the top. There's no debate he can play, now he needs to push on.
"He has that versatility, he can play right-back, in the centre or in midfield - he'd even play in goal! So he's worth his weight in gold. He's a determined lad, you've got to be to come back from what he has. When I found out he'd decided to stay I was chuffed. We're going to need him - and 15 like him."
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