Tributes have been pouring in for former Leeds United midfielder Mick Bates, who has died at the age of 73.
Bates spent 12 years at Elland Road after completing an apprenticeship with the club and turned out almost 200 times on his way to winning the First Division title twice, the FA Cup, the League Cup and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups.
His goal against Juventus in the first leg of the 1971 Fairs Cup final in Turin would prove to be the high point of his time in West Yorkshire as Leeds would win the tie on away goals.
Bates was forced to compete with Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles for a place in Don Revie's starting XI which limited his number of appearances but would embody the club's 'side before self mantra' whenever called upon.
Former Leeds striker Ian Baird has led tributes on social media.
"Another sad day with the passing of Mick Bates,2 he posted on Twitter. "A lovely bloke who would train with us on a Friday when I was a young lad at #LUFC.'
Here is a look at some of the tributes that fans have left online:
Along with his fellow members of the Revie team, Bates was awarded the Freedom of the City of Leeds by Leeds City Council as a part of the club's 2019 Centenary celebrations.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Mick’s wife Jill, son Paul and the rest of his family at this difficult time," the club posted in a statement.
