Karen Jones
17th December 2020
An anthology of the work of the late football coach educator, Dick Bate, has been released to raise funds for the brain tumour charity at the hospital that treated him. The Dick Bate Football Anthology is a collection of thousands of documents written by Dick over the course of his fifty year career, and has received support from football stars including Gareth Southgate, Wayne Rooney and Ole Gunner Solskjaer.
Dick Bate is considered by many to be the greatest coach educator of his generation, inspiring thousands of coaches around the world in their individual pursuit of excellence. Dick’s fifty year career took him around the world, making him a well-known and loved figure throughout the footballing world.
Dick was diagnosed with a brain tumour and received treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK. There, he received world class treatment under the care of Consultant Neurosurgeon Ismail Ughratdar who told him about the work of The Giles’ Trust.
The Giles’ Trust was set up by England cricket legend Ashley, and his wife Stine, after she received treatment for brain tumours at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The Giles’ Trust raises funds to support brain tumour research and Dick made it his goal to raise funds for the organisation.
Sadly, Dick passed away in April 2018. His wife, Maggie, has since gone on to raise £50,000 for The Giles’ Trust and said:
“Aside from family, Dick’s work was his life, and he has left a wonderful legacy. It seems only fitting to now release this anthology for others to benefit from, and in doing so enable him to do as he vowed, to raise funds for The Giles’ Trust.”
Influential figures from the world of football have shown their support for the anthology and have reflected on the influence that Dick had on the beautiful game.
Gareth Southgate, England Men’s First Team Manager, said: “I think like all English coaches Dick Bate had a huge part to play in my coach education. Somebody who made you think, who stimulated you to go and learn more about the game and to really study and think about coaching in a deeper sense.”
Wayne Rooney, First Team Coach at Derby County, said: “First and foremost, Dick was a great person and a good man. He was a great help to me during the early stages of my career. I learnt so much from him and over the years I have never forgotten him and what he stood for.”
Dean Smith, Aston Villa Manager, said: Dick was an integral part of my football journey – as a coach, as a coach educator and as a friend. His thirst for knowledge and his quest to teach others was outstanding. He was always thinking ahead of his time, he would be an innovative driver of the future game. His attention to detail was exquisite -the content of his work will be gold dust to those of us who dare to follow.”
Purchase your copy of the Dick Bate Football Anthology for £25, click on the link
https://www.hospitalcharity.org/shop/product/dickbateanthology
© 2020 The Giles' Trust is a part of University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, a company limited by guarantee in England (No.10004003) and a charity registered in England and Wales (No.1165716). Registered Office: Fisher House, Mindelsohn Way, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2GN
