Hubbry Logo
Mark YeatesMark YeatesMain
Open search
Mark Yeates
Community hub
Mark Yeates
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Mark Yeates
Mark Yeates
Mark Yeates
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Mark Stephen Anthony Yeates (born 11 January 1985) is an Irish professional football coach and former player who played as a winger.

Key Information

Yeates began his career with Tottenham Hotspur but failed to make the transition to the first team, spending time on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, Swindon Town, Colchester United, Hull City and Leicester City. On leaving Spurs he returned on a permanent deal to Colchester before spells with Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Watford, Bradford City, Oldham Athletic, Blackpool and Notts County. He has three under-21 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Playing career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Yeates played schoolboy football with Greenhills Boys and Cherry Orchard in Dublin.[2] He started his senior career at Tottenham Hotspur, but first played professional football in loan spells with Brighton & Hove Albion and Swindon Town during the 2003–04 season. Loaned to Swindon as part of the transfer to Spurs of Swindon player Leigh Mills, Yeates only played four games before being returned to White Hart Lane after a disagreement with then manager Andy King. He made his Spurs debut against Wolves on the final day of the 2003–04 Premier League season, setting up a goal for Robbie Keane. He made three first team appearances for Spurs.

During the 2005–06 season, Yeates played on long-term loan at Colchester United, scoring five league goals, as they achieved promotion from League One. He also nearly scored but hit the post in that seasons FA cup run against Chelsea.

Prior to 2006–07 Yeates signed a two-year contract extension with Spurs. He joined Championship team Hull City on a season-long loan, but hardly featured for them before returning to his parent club midway through the season.

He then signed a loan contract until the end of the 2006–07 season with another Championship side, Leicester City. He scored on his Leicester début at the Walkers Stadium in a 1–1 draw with Luton Town.[3] On 25 April 2007, having only featured 16 times for Leicester, and not once under caretaker manager Nigel Worthington, he was allowed to return to Spurs after being deemed surplus to requirements.

Colchester United

[edit]

On 3 July 2007 he completed a permanent move to Colchester United.[4] Yeates was set to sign for Crystal Palace Football Club, but due to the fact that he failed his medical, the transfer was abandoned. He had a productive year in League One, during which time, he scored the first competitive goal at the new Colchester Community Stadium in a game against Oldham.[5]

Middlesbrough

[edit]

Yeates then signed for newly relegated Championship team Middlesbrough for £500,000 on 26 June 2009.[6][7] He made his début for Middlesbrough on 7 August 2009 in a 0–0 draw with Sheffield United.[8] In and out of the team in the first part of the season, he scored what turned out to be his only goal for Middlesbrough in their 5–1 win over QPR in December 2009.[9]

Sheffield United

[edit]

After finding himself surplus to requirements under new boss Gordon Strachan, Yeates signed for Boro's Championship rivals Sheffield United.[10] He scored his first goal for Sheffield United in a 2–1 defeat at Preston North End on 9 February 2010.[11] Having made the move, Yeates found himself playing no more regularly at Bramall Lane than at Middlesbrough. In an eighteen-month stay, he was in and out of the side and never showed any real consistency. By the time Micky Adams took over as manager of the Blades, Yeates was virtually frozen out of the first team altogether.[12]

Watford

[edit]

In July 2011, Yeates signed for Watford on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[13] He scored on his debut against Burnley to put Watford 2–0 up, with the game finishing 2–2.[14] Yeates was a regular in the Watford side up until their FA Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur on 27 January, in which he lost his place to Sean Murray. However, he continued to make substitute appearances and retained his place in the squad the following season under then-new manager, Gianfranco Zola. During this period, Yeates was primarily played in a central role rather than his usual wide position, with Yeates stating that he actually preferred this new position[15]

On 7 June 2013, Watford announced that Yeates' contract would not be renewed and he was to be released as a free agent.[16]

Bradford City

[edit]

On 3 July 2013, Yeates signed a two-year contract with Bradford City,[17] the third time that Yeates had worked under manager Phil Parkinson, having previously played under him at Hull City and Colchester United.[18] Yeates made his Bradford debut on 3 August, the opening day of the season, playing 66 minutes of a 2–2 draw against Bristol City.[19] and scored his first goal for the club during his second appearance, in a 4–0 win against Carlisle United.[20] On 26 November, Yeates came off the bench to score his second goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Notts County.[21]

Oldham Athletic

[edit]

On 25 August 2015, Yeates joined Oldham Athletic on a short-term deal.[22] Yeates scored one goal in 20 games for the club.

Blackpool

[edit]

On 7 January 2016, Yeates joined Blackpool on an initial 18-month deal from Oldham Athletic with the option for a further year.[23]

Notts County

[edit]

On 30 January 2017, Yeates signed for Notts County.[24]

Eastleigh

[edit]

On 28 June 2017, Yeates joined National League side Eastleigh on a two-year deal.[25]

AFC Fylde

[edit]

Yeates left Eastleigh to join AFC Fylde on 12 June 2019.[26]

Bamber Bridge

[edit]

Yeates joined Bamber Bridge from AFC Fylde in September 2020.[27]

Coaching career

[edit]

Yeates joined the academy coaching staff at Fleetwood Town, working with the under-13s. He was appointed to a full-time role within the academy in September 2021.[28] He became the under-18s assistant coach in July 2022,[29] before becoming head coach of the under-18s in January 2023, guiding the team to the fifth round of the 2022–23 FA Youth Cup.[30] On 29 September 2025, Yeates was announced as interim assistant manager of Fleetwood Town's sister club Waterford until the end of their League of Ireland Premier Division season in November, working under interim head coach Matt Lawlor following the sacking of John Coleman.[31]

Personal life

[edit]

His late father Stephen played for Shelbourne, Shamock Rovers (two goals in 11 appearances in 1989–90), Athlone Town and Kilkenny City.[32]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tottenham Hotspur 2002–03[33] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2003–04[34] Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2004–05[35] Premier League 2 0 1 0 0 0 — 3 0
2005–06[36] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2006–07[37] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 2003–04[34] Second Division 9 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 10 0
Swindon Town (loan) 2004–05[35] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Colchester United (loan) 2005–06[36] League One 44 5 5 1 1 0 2[a] 0 52 6
Hull City (loan) 2006–07[37] Championship 5 0 0 0 2 0 — 7 0
Leicester City (loan) 2006–07[37] Championship 9 1 0 0 0 0 — 9 1
Colchester United 2007–08[38] Championship 29 8 1 0 1 0 — 31 8
2008–09[39] League One 43 12 1 0 2 0 4[a] 1 50 13
Total 72 20 2 0 3 0 4 1 81 21
Middlesbrough 2009–10[40] Championship 19 1 1 0 1 0 — 21 1
Sheffield United 2009–10[40] Championship 20 2 0 0 0 0 — 20 2
2010–11[41] Championship 35 5 0 0 1 0 — 36 5
Total 55 7 0 0 1 0 — 56 7
Watford 2011–12[42] Championship 33 3 2 0 1 0 — 36 3
2012–13[43] Championship 29 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 30 4
Total 62 7 2 0 2 0 0 0 66 7
Bradford City 2013–14[44] League One 29 2 1 0 0 0 1[a] 0 31 2
2014–15[45][b] League One 41 3 7 2 2 0 1[a] 0 51 5
Total 70 5 8 2 2 0 2 0 82 7
Oldham Athletic 2015–16[48] League One 16 1 3 0 0 0 1[a] 0 20 1
Blackpool 2015–16[48] League One 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
2016–17[49] League Two 5 0 4 0 2 0 5[c] 0 16 0
Total 16 0 4 0 2 0 5 0 27 0
Notts County 2016–17[49] League Two 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Eastleigh 2017–18[50][51][52] National League 45 5 1 0 — 1[d] 0 47 5
2018–19[53][54][55] National League 44 4 1 0 — 3[e] 0 48 4
Total 89 9 2 0 — 4 0 95 9
AFC Fylde 2019–20[56][57][58] National League 29 1 4 0 — 3[d] 0 36 1
Bamber Bridge 2020–21[59] Northern Premier League Premier Division 7 0 — — 1[d] 0 8 0
2021–22[60] Northern Premier League Premier Division 33 4 1 0 — 0 0 34 4
Total 40 4 1 0 — 1 0 42 4
Career totals 556 61 33 3 14 0 23 1 626 65
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Both Soccerbase and Soccerway list Yeates as an unused substitute in the League Cup fixture against MK Dons,[46] whereas the English National Football Archive (ENFA) states he came on as a substitute. As the Soccerbase and Soccerway line-ups would mean Bradford City ended the game with two goalkeepers, ENFA is considered the more reliable source. This is confirmed by the Bradford Telegraph & Argus match report[47]
  3. ^ Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  5. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy; two appearances in National League play-offs

Honours

[edit]

Colchester United

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Yeates

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Yeates (born 11 January 1985) is an Irish professional football coach and former player who primarily played as a left winger. Yeates began his professional career with Tottenham Hotspur, making his Premier League debut on the final day of the 2003–04 season, where he provided an assist for Robbie Keane's goal in a 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Over a 20-year playing career spanning England's top divisions, he amassed nearly 600 senior appearances and 61 goals across 576 competitive matches, with significant spells at clubs including Colchester United (188 appearances, 23 goals), Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Leicester City, Bradford City—where he scored in a 4–2 FA Cup upset against Chelsea in 2015—and later teams such as Oldham Athletic, Blackpool, Notts County, and Bamber Bridge, from which he retired in July 2022. He also earned three caps for the Republic of Ireland U21 national team under coach Don Givens. Transitioning to coaching after retirement, Yeates joined Town's coaching staff in 2020, appointed lead coach of their U18 team in 2023, and advanced to head coach of the U21 side in 2025. In September 2025, he was appointed interim assistant coach at in the League of Ireland Premier Division, working alongside interim head coach Matt Lawlor for the remainder of the season.

Early life

Birth and family

Mark Yeates, full name Mark Stephen Anthony Yeates, was born on 11 January 1985 in , a suburb of , . He was the eldest son of Stephen Yeates, a prominent figure in Irish football who played as a striker in the League of Ireland for clubs including Shelbourne, Athlone Town, and Kilkenny City. His father nurtured Yeates's early interest in the sport, fostering a family environment centered around football. Yeates grew up in with his mother, one brother, and two sisters. Following the death of his father in September 2002 from a , his mother raised the family single-handedly while holding multiple jobs to support them.

Youth development

Mark Yeates began his football journey in , playing schoolboy football for Greenhills Boys and Cherry Orchard, a prominent youth club known for producing talented players. At Cherry Orchard, he honed his skills as a skillful dribbler and creator, often delivering assists in competitive youth matches. His father, Stephen Yeates, a former player, nurtured his early development in the sport. Yeates' talent caught the attention of Tottenham Hotspur scouts during trials at age 16, leading to his move from , , to join the Spurs Academy in July 2001. He signed a three-year professional contract in July 2002, marking his transition from youth prospect to full-time academy player. During this period, Yeates adapted to the rigors of English football, training alongside the first team and reserves while facing personal challenges, including the death of his father in 2002. In the academy, Yeates progressed steadily, featuring prominently for the Under-19s. A standout moment came on 29 March 2003, when he scored a in a 3-2 victory over Bristol City Under-19s, earning praise from coach for his inspirational playmaking and finishing— including a headed opener, a solo effort, and a late winner rifled into the top corner. By the end of the 2003/04 season, he had earned a place in the first-team squad, making his debut on 15 May 2004 against Wolverhampton Wanderers at age 19, where he assisted Robbie Keane's goal in a 2-0 win. This breakthrough highlighted his rapid development from Irish schoolboy to professional debutant.

Club career

Tottenham Hotspur

Mark Yeates joined the Tottenham Hotspur academy in July 2001 and turned professional with the club in 2002. He earned his first-team debut on 15 May 2004, substituting into a 2–0 win at Wanderers and assisting Robbie Keane's goal in the second half. Yeates went on to make three additional substitute appearances for in the 2004–05 season, all in the , without registering a goal. To gain senior experience, he was loaned out five times during his Spurs tenure, including spells at & Hove Albion in 2003–04 and Swindon Town in 2004. In July 2006, following a productive loan at Colchester United that aided their promotion from League One, Yeates signed a two-year contract extension with , having accumulated four first-team outings overall.

Loan spells

Yeates' professional career began with loan moves from Hotspur to gain first-team experience in lower divisions. In November 2003, at age 18, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a three-month , making nine appearances in League One without scoring, providing an introduction to senior football under manager . The following season, in August 2004, Yeates was loaned to Town for an initial month as part of a deal involving Spurs' acquisition of defender Leigh Mills; he featured in four League One matches, again without goals, before returning early due to limited opportunities. Yeates' most successful loan came in July 2005 with a season-long move to Colchester United in League One, where he became a key player on the right wing, contributing to their promotion as runners-up with 44 league appearances and five goals, plus two more in cup competitions for a total of 52 outings and six goals overall. In August 2006, he moved to side Hull City on another season-long loan but struggled for playing time, appearing in seven matches (three starts) without scoring before the deal was cut short in January 2007. His final loan from was to club Leicester City in January 2007 until the season's end, where he made nine appearances (five starts) and scored once on debut in a 1–1 draw against Luton Town, though his overall impact was limited amid the Foxes' relegation battle.

Colchester United

Yeates joined Colchester United on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2005, making his debut on 6 August in a 2–1 away defeat to Gillingham. During the 2005–06 campaign, he featured in 52 matches across all competitions, scoring 6 goals, including his first for the club on 5 in a 9–1 first-round win over Leamington. His contributions helped secure promotion as League One runners-up that season, with Yeates providing creativity on the wing during their successful play-off avoidance. After spells on loan at Hull City and Leicester City in 2006–07, Yeates returned to Colchester on a permanent basis in July 2007 for an undisclosed six-figure fee, believed to be around £500,000. The Under-21 international expressed enthusiasm about rejoining, stating, "It's good to be back," and highlighting the club's potential in the . Over the next two seasons, he became a key player, accumulating 81 appearances and 21 goals. In 2007–08, Yeates scored 8 goals in 31 outings, while in 2008–09, he netted 13 times in 50 matches, including a brace in Colchester's first win at their new Weston Homes Community Stadium on 26 October 2008 against Swindon Town. One of Yeates' standout moments came on 30 August 2008, when he scored the first competitive goal at the Weston Homes Community Stadium (now JobServe) in a 4–1 victory over Oldham Athletic, curling a free-kick into the net. His form as a versatile winger, capable of delivering crosses and set-pieces, earned praise for adding flair to the squad amid their struggles. Overall, across both spells, Yeates made 133 appearances (126 starts) and scored 27 goals (including 1 penalty) for . In June 2009, Yeates departed for on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported as £450,000, after rejecting interest from other clubs. His final appearance for was on 2 May 2009 in a 2–0 away win at Town.

Middlesbrough

Yeates joined from United on 26 June 2009 for an undisclosed fee reported to be around £500,000. Signed by manager as the club's first summer acquisition following relegation from the , the 24-year-old B international was expected to provide width and creativity on the flanks, having scored 20 goals in 72 appearances for in League One the previous season. During the 2009–10 Championship season, Yeates struggled to establish himself in the first team, making 11 league appearances (8 as a substitute) and scoring 1 goal, alongside 1 appearance and 1 substitute outing in the . His debut came as a substitute in a 1–0 home win over Sheffield United on 8 August 2009, but he found opportunities limited amid competition from players like and Jeremie Aliadiere. Southgate's dismissal in October 2009 and the appointment of did little to change his peripheral role, with Yeates featuring sporadically in the early months. Yeates' sole goal for came on 6 December 2009 in a 5–1 home victory over Queens Park Rangers, ending a run of 14 goalless appearances since his arrival and providing a much-needed boost during a five-match winless streak. He described the strike as a relief, expressing hope it would lead to more consistent starts and contributions toward the team's promotion push. However, his form did not sustain, and by January 2010, with sitting mid-table, Yeates sought more regular football elsewhere. On 19 January 2010, Yeates transferred to Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee, estimated at £500,000, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract after just six months and 13 total appearances at the . The move allowed to recoup their initial investment, though Yeates later reflected on his brief stint as a period of adjustment to the higher level of competition in the .

Sheffield United

Yeates joined Sheffield United on 19 January 2010, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract from for an undisclosed fee. Under manager , he quickly integrated into the squad, making his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Rovers four days later. In the remainder of the 2009–10 Championship season, Yeates featured in 15 league appearances, scoring twice. His first goal for the club came on 9 February 2010, a late left-footed strike from a Derek Geary cross in a 2–1 defeat at Preston North End. He ended the campaign with a goal and two assists in a 3–0 victory over Ipswich Town on 1 May, helping Sheffield United secure an eighth-place finish, five points shy of the play-offs. Yeates later reflected on the strong Irish contingent at the club, including teammates Stephen Quinn and , which contributed to a positive team dynamic. The 2010–11 season saw Yeates become a regular under new manager , where he played some of his best football, appearing in 35 league matches and scoring five goals as Sheffield United were relegated to League One. Notable contributions included a superb solo goal in a 1–0 win at Hull City on 27 November 2010, a stoppage-time equalizer in a 3–3 draw with on 16 October, and a brace in a 2–2 draw against Leicester City on 11 December. His opening goal in a 2–4 loss to on 2011 rounded out his tally for the club. Overall, Yeates made 56 appearances and scored seven goals across all competitions during his 18 months at . Following relegation, Yeates departed for on 13 July 2011 in a deal reportedly worth an initial undisclosed fee, with additional payments based on appearances and performance. He described Sheffield United as a "great club" and "great city," noting both rewarding and challenging periods as inherent to professional football.

Watford

Yeates joined on a two-year contract from Sheffield United in July 2011 for an undisclosed fee, opting for the club over interest from after discussions with manager . He made an immediate impact, scoring on his Championship debut in a 2–2 draw away to on 6 August 2011, firing home from inside the penalty area to give a 2–0 lead. During his first season under Dyche, Yeates established himself as a regular on the right wing, contributing creativity and set-piece delivery as finished 11th in the . Following Dyche's dismissal in October 2012, Yeates adapted to Gianfranco Zola's more attacking 3-5-2 system in the 2012–13 season, often deployed in a central midfield role where he provided key assists, notably to top scorer Matej Vydra. surged up the table under Zola, securing third place and a play-off spot; Yeates featured in the semi-final first leg against Leicester City (1–1 draw) but missed the second leg and the final loss to (0–1) due to injury. Over two seasons, he made 66 appearances across all competitions, scoring 7 goals. In June 2013, amid squad changes following the Pozzo family's takeover, released Yeates as his expired, allowing him to sign for Bradford City on a free transfer. Yeates reflected positively on his time at the club, praising Zola's coaching and the fans' support for his effort on the pitch.

Bradford City

Yeates joined Bradford City on 3 July 2013, signing a two-year after his release from . The move marked his third collaboration with manager , having previously worked together at United and Charlton Athletic. As the club's third summer signing following midfielder Jason Kennedy, Yeates brought experience from higher divisions to bolster the League One side's attacking options. In his debut season, Yeates quickly integrated into the squad, scoring his first goal for in a 4-0 opening-day League One win against Carlisle United on 10 August 2013, curling a shot into the top corner from the left flank. Over two seasons, he made 82 appearances across all competitions, contributing 7 goals and providing width and creativity on the wings. Representative of his impact, he netted a low-shot equalizer as a substitute in a 1-1 draw with Notts County on 26 November 2013, and curled in a superb free-kick during a 1-1 home match against Port Vale on 27 September 2014. Yeates' most memorable moment came in the fourth round, where he scored Bradford's fourth goal in stoppage time to secure a historic 4–2 comeback victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 24 January 2015, propelling the League One club into the fifth round against another side, . This upset highlighted his composure under pressure, as he finished a back-heel from to seal one of the competition's greatest shocks. His contributions helped Bradford reach the quarter-finals, a remarkable run for a lower-tier team. Yeates' contract expired at the end of the 2014–15 season, and he was among several players released by as part of a squad overhaul. During his tenure, he established himself as a reliable squad player, aiding the team's push for promotion in League One, though they finished seventh in both of his full seasons.

Later career moves

Following his departure from City in the summer of 2015, Yeates signed a short-term with League One side Athletic on 25 August 2015. He made 20 appearances for the club, scoring once, before his deal expired in January 2016. The move provided Yeates with continued exposure in the third tier, where he contributed as a versatile winger during a season in which finished 19th and avoided relegation. In January 2016, Yeates joined on a free transfer until the end of the 2015-16 League One season. He featured in 27 matches without scoring, helping the team to a 10th-place finish. His time at was marked by steady involvement in the squad under manager Neil McDonald, though the club struggled with inconsistency. Yeates extended his stay into the 2016-17 season but departed midway through January 2017 after limited starts. On 30 January 2017, Yeates signed a permanent deal with League Two club Notts County until the end of the season, becoming their first acquisition after lifting a transfer embargo. He appeared in 14 games, providing one assist, as Notts County finished 16th in the table. This stint represented Yeates' final professional league outing, with the 32-year-old offering experience to a mid-table side amid their push for stability.

Non-league career

Yeates signed a two-year contract with National League club in June 2017, following his release from Notts County. During his time at , he made 91 appearances across all competitions and scored 9 goals over two seasons, contributing to the team's mid-table finishes in the fifth tier. In June 2019, Yeates transferred to fellow National League side on a free transfer, bringing over 500 senior appearances to the club. He featured in 34 matches during the 2019–20 season, scoring 1 goal, before the campaign was curtailed by the . Yeates joined Division One North West club in September 2020, shortly after beginning his coaching role at Fleetwood Town. Over the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, he appeared in 42 games and netted 4 goals, marking the end of his playing career as he transitioned fully to coaching.

International career

Youth internationals

Yeates represented the at youth level, featuring for both the under-19 and under-21 teams during his early career.

Under-19 career

Yeates earned six caps for the U19 team between 2003 and 2004, scoring four goals in the process. His debut came as a substitute in a 0–1 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying defeat to on 19 May 2003 at in . He started the next match three days later, a 2–0 friendly win over at the same venue. In September 2003, during the second qualifying round in , Yeates played in all three group games: a 1–1 draw with (where he scored), a 10–1 victory over (scoring twice), and a 2–1 win against . These results secured Ireland's advancement from Group 4. His final U19 appearance was a start in a 3–1 friendly loss to on 21 May 2004.
DateOpponentResultGoalsNotes
19 May 20030–10Sub (79')
23 May 20032–00Start
18 Sep 20031–11Start
20 Sep 200310–12Sub off (61')
22 Sep 20032–10Sub off (67')
21 May 2004 & Montenegro3–11Start

Under-21 career

Yeates progressed to the Republic of Ireland U21 team, making four appearances without scoring between 2004 and 2006. His debut was as a substitute in a 0–0 draw with during the Madeira Tournament on 24 2004. He came off at half-time in the tournament's decisive 4–0 win over the hosts two days later, helping Ireland claim the title on . In a 2005 qualifier, he started in a 0–2 loss to . His final U21 cap came as a late substitute in a 1–0 friendly victory against on 28 2006 at in .
DateOpponentResultGoalsNotes
24 Feb 20040–00Sub off (68')
27 Feb 20044–00Sub off (46')
8 Feb 20050–20Start
28 Feb 20061–00Sub off (90')

B team appearances

Yeates earned a single cap for the B team on 20 November 2007, in a 1–1 draw against B at in Airdrie. Introduced as a substitute early in the second half alongside , replacing Stephen Hunt and Andy O' Donovan, Yeates nearly secured victory for with a powerful 25-yard strike that goalkeeper tipped onto the crossbar. had taken the lead through Richie in the 65th minute, but equalized late through Steve in the 83rd minute. Yeates' performance in the match was highlighted for its potential impact, though it remained his only appearance at the B level.

Coaching career

Fleetwood Town

Mark Yeates began his coaching career at Fleetwood Town in 2020, initially joining the academy on a part-time basis as an under-13s age-group coach. In September 2021, he transitioned to a full-time role within the academy, appointed as an International Coach responsible for delivering programmes at the Fleetwood Town International Academy (FTIFA) and , while also coaching the under-14s team. Academy manager praised Yeates' wealth of professional playing experience, noting his over 500 senior appearances across clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, , and Leicester City. Yeates expressed enthusiasm for the club's forward-thinking environment, stating, "I’m delighted to be coming on board full-time at such a forward-thinking and well run football club." By July 2022, Yeates had progressed to assistant coach for the under-18s, supporting Simon Wiles after two years in the academy setup; he continued in this role following Wiles' departure to Salford City. In this position, he focused on player mentoring and development, with academy manager Jack Higgins highlighting Yeates' infectious personality and impact on the young players. Yeates, who was completing his UEFA A Licence at the time, aimed to nurture talent for first-team opportunities, saying, "My aim is to help develop this current group of players and hopefully produce players who go on to represent this club in the first team." In January 2023, Yeates was promoted to lead coach of the under-18s, a role he described as a proud milestone after over two and a half years at the club. Under his leadership, the team advanced to the fifth round of the , emphasizing an attacking style with energy, intensity, and bravery on the pitch. He stated, "I am so proud to be named the new head coach of Fleetwood Town’s Under-18s," and committed to fostering expressive football among the players. Yeates' tenure continued to evolve, and in June 2025, he was appointed lead coach of the under-21s phase (PDP) team for the 2025/26 season, building on his prior successes in youth development. This progression reflected his five years of contributions to Fleetwood's academy, from under-13s to senior youth levels. On 29 September 2025, Yeates temporarily departed Fleetwood Town to join sister club as interim assistant coach for the remainder of the League of Ireland season. Following 's 2–1 victory over Bray Wanderers in the promotion/relegation playoff on 11 November 2025, which secured their Premier Division status, Yeates returned to Fleetwood Town on 13 November 2025 to resume his role as under-21s lead coach.

Waterford FC

On 29 September 2025, Mark Yeates was appointed as interim assistant coach at , joining fellow Fleetwood Town academy colleague Matt Lawlor, who had been named interim the previous day following the departure of John Coleman and assistant Danny Ventre. The appointment was for the remainder of the 2025 season, with Yeates bringing his extensive experience from a 20-year playing career that included nearly 600 senior appearances across the , , and League One, as well as three caps for the U21 team. Yeates' role involved supporting Lawlor in stabilizing the team during a challenging run-in, as Waterford sat ninth in the table and faced a relegation playoff. Under the interim coaching staff, the secured their Premier Division status by defeating Bray Wanderers 2–1 in the promotion/relegation playoff on 11 November 2025 at , following a ninth-place finish in the regular season with 39 points from 36 matches. This survival marked a successful short-term tenure for Yeates. On 7 November 2025, prior to the playoff, club owner Pilley announced impending wholesale changes to the staff, including recruitment of a new first-team manager for the season; as of 16 November 2025, former and St Patrick's Athletic manager emerged as a leading candidate for the role. Yeates returned to Fleetwood Town following the playoff.

Personal life

Family background

Mark Yeates was born on 11 January 1985 in , , , into a family deeply embedded in the local football community. His father, Stephen Yeates (known as "Steo"), was a prominent player who played for clubs including Shelbourne, Rovers, Town, and Kilkenny City during the 1980s and early 1990s, renowned for his skill as a blond-haired winger and trickster on the pitch. Stephen's career extended into junior football with Greenhills College, where he remained a popular figure in Dublin's football scene. As the eldest of three siblings—with one brother and two sisters—Mark grew up in a household shaped by his father's passion for the sport, often attending matches at venues like Cherry Orchard. Tragically, Stephen died in a road accident in September 2002 at the age of 39, while Mark was competing in a youth match for Tottenham Hotspur against Coventry City. Following this loss, Mark's mother single-handedly raised the family in Dublin, taking on multiple jobs to support her children amid the challenges of their father's absence. The family's football heritage continued to influence Mark, who later honored his father's legacy through an annual charity match organized by Stephen's former Shelbourne teammates.

Interests and retirement

Following his retirement from playing in July 2022, having transitioned to full-time at Town's academy in September 2021 while continuing recreationally with non-league side , Mark Yeates focused on youth development as his primary post-playing pursuit. This move allowed him to end his playing career, which had spanned over 500 appearances across various leagues, emphasizing enjoyment in his final non-league stint. In September 2025, Yeates returned to to join as interim assistant coach, marking a aligned with his Irish roots. Yeates has expressed a strong personal interest in , crediting his mother for raising him and his siblings single-handedly after his father's death in 2002, when Yeates was 17. His father, Stephen Yeates, was a former player whose career profoundly influenced Mark's own path in football. Beyond , Yeates maintains a passion for the sport itself, viewing coaching as an extension of his love for its creative and expressive elements, and he has prioritized making his family proud as a core life achievement.

Career summary

Professional statistics

Mark Yeates amassed 517 appearances and 57 goals in English league competitions throughout his professional club career, spanning from 2003 to 2020 across 15 clubs in divisions ranging from the to the National League. His contributions were particularly notable in the lower tiers, where he achieved higher goal tallies relative to appearances, such as 25 goals in 116 league games for Colchester United in League One. In cup competitions, he added 39 appearances and 4 goals, including notable performances in the . The following table summarizes his league statistics by club:
ClubYearsAppearancesGoals
Brighton & Hove Albion2003–200490
Tottenham Hotspur2003–200530
Swindon Town2004–200540
Colchester United2005–200911625
Hull City2006–200770
Leicester City2006–200791
Middlesbrough2009–2010191
Sheffield United2009–2011557
Watford2011–2013627
Bradford City2013–2015695
Oldham Athletic2015–2016161
Blackpool2015–2017160
Notts County2016–2017140
Eastleigh2017–2019899
AFC Fylde2019–2020291
In addition to these league figures, Yeates recorded 15 appearances and 1 goal for in the during the 2021–2022 season. Overall, his career highlighted consistent involvement in attacking play, with 104 assists across all competitions documented in select records.

Honours and achievements

Yeates contributed to United's promotion from Football League One as runners-up in the 2005–06 season, finishing second in the table to secure automatic promotion to the for the first time in the club's history. During his loan spell from Tottenham Hotspur, he made 42 league appearances and scored five goals, helping the team achieve a club-record 87 points. On the international stage, Yeates earned three caps for the U21 team between 2005 and 2006 under coach Don Givens, featuring as a left winger in qualifying matches against and . He also made one appearance for the B team in 2007. A highlight of Yeates' career came in the , where he came off the bench to score the fourth goal in City's historic 4–2 fourth-round victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 24 January 2015, marking one of the greatest upsets in modern history. This performance helped propel to the quarter-finals, their deepest run in the competition since 1911.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/mark-yeates/profil/spieler/15167
  2. https://waterfordfc.ie/2025/09/29/mark-yeates-joins-blues-as-interim-assistant-coach/
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.com/mark-yeates/leistungsdaten/spieler/15167
  4. https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/mark-yeates-joins-lawlor-at-waterford-fc/
  5. https://spurs.fandom.com/wiki/Mark_Yeates
  6. https://www.the42.ie/mark-yeates-interview-5560255-Oct2021/
  7. https://www.the42.ie/mark-yeates-the-football-family-4824939-Oct2019/
  8. https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/orchard-to-the-core/27969341.html
  9. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2023/november/my-spurs-debut-mark-yeates-vs-wolves-15052004/
  10. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/yeates-the-city-slicker/
  11. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/tottenham-hotspur/mark-yeates-8684/league-appearances_a19197/
  12. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/new-deal-for-yeates/
  13. https://www.coludata.co.uk/player/markyeates
  14. https://inparallellines.blog/2022/04/11/mcghee-provided-albion-platform-for-playmaker-mark-yeates/
  15. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/sheffield-united/mark-yeates-8684/league-appearances_a28224/
  16. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/yeates-in-leicester-loan/
  17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/6250222.stm
  18. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/3792490.first-win-was-a-big-relief/
  19. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/20844523.colchester-united-scored-first-competitive-goal-jobserve-community-stadium-day/
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.us/mark-yeates/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/15167
  21. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/4461086.yeates-completes-move-to-middlesbrough/
  22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/8119233.stm
  23. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/5401920/boro-sign-winger-yeates
  24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/middlesbrough/8400114.stm
  25. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=35004
  26. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12875/5871561/yeates-completes-blades-move
  27. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-star-yeates-looking-set-to-complete-ps500000-transfer-to-united-1992122
  28. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/front_page/8462324.stm
  29. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8501344.stm
  30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8645003.stm
  31. https://www.theirishworld.com/mark-yeates-still-playing-the-game/
  32. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9097460.stm
  33. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9085422.stm
  34. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9156661.stm
  35. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9322915.stm
  36. https://www.transfermarkt.us/mark-yeates/leistungsdaten/spieler/15167
  37. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14143634
  38. https://watfordlegends.com/interviews/mark-yeates/
  39. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/14351859.stm
  40. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22826958
  41. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23165519
  42. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23510575
  43. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23558554
  44. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24996455
  45. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29289531
  46. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30860394
  47. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31423096
  48. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34055233
  49. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/34055233
  50. https://www.fotmob.com/players/40598/mark-yeates
  51. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38804384
  52. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40431103
  53. https://www.afcfylde.co.uk/news/2019/june/12/signing-creative-midfielder-mark-yeates-signs-for-the-coasters
  54. http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRslTmU19pg1.html
  55. https://www.transfermarkt.us/irland-u19_bulgarien-u19/index/spielbericht/3977079
  56. https://www.transfermarkt.us/san-marino-u19_republic-of-ireland-u19/index/spielbericht/3977081
  57. https://www.transfermarkt.us/irland-u19_litauen-u19/index/spielbericht/3977083
  58. https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-10114215.html
  59. https://www.transfermarkt.us/republic-of-ireland-u21_sweden-u21/index/spielbericht/2841159
  60. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7100835.stm
  61. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1120/225090-irelandb/
  62. http://www2.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/matchdetails.php?id=19&level=ssseniorb
  63. https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/yeates-is-confident-after-good-b-test/26333495.html
  64. https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/introducing-our-pdp-coaching-team-for-2025-26/
  65. https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/mark-yeates-confirmed-at-international-coach-within-academy/
  66. https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/mark-yeates-takes-fleetwood-town-coaching-role-3766012
  67. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mark-yeates-3913a01b2_extremely-proud-to-be-appointed-as-fleetwood-activity-7023209150247526400-6LE4
  68. https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/mark-yeates-announcement-as-under-18s-head-coach/
  69. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ_yeKSjskM/
  70. https://waterfordfc.ie/2025/09/28/matt-lawlor-named-interim-head-coach/
  71. https://fbref.com/en/squads/92b17fca/2025/c80/Waterford-United-FC-Stats-League-of-Ireland-Premier-Division
  72. https://www.waterford-news.ie/sport/soccer/waterford-withstand-relegation-gauntlet_arid-77220.html
  73. https://www.wlrfm.com/sport/jamie-pilley-statement-2192511
  74. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/novembers-league-of-ireland-transfers-jon-daly-poised-to-become-new-waterford-manager/a799822324.html
  75. https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/10-clubs-10-years-one-unfulfilled-ambition-for-mark-yeates/29563482.html
  76. https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/10553904.mark-yeates-return-to-athlone-with-bradford-city-sparks-happy-memories-of-his-dad-for-local-fans/
  77. https://www.oncloudseven.com/891-mark-yeates/
  78. https://fbref.com/en/players/b3922703/Mark-Yeates
  79. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/25138044.colchester-united-secured-promotion-championship-2006/
  80. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/sport/17653572.colchester-uniteds-2006-promotion-winners-reunited/
  81. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mark-yeates/nationalmannschaft/spieler/15167
  82. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37400013/mark-yeates-pleased-play-part-bradford-fa-cup-defeat-chelsea
  83. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/apr/18/my-favourite-game-chelsea-v-bradford-city-2015-fa-cup
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.