R.I.P Ted Bates

[Jeff Le Taxi]

Had a quick scan but doesnt seem like its been posted, yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the departure from this world of our dear beloved Ted.

[Wiggles31]

Was before my time but I am aware how important he was for Southampton. RIP. 10 years has gone quick.

[Hockey_saint]

I met him once (as a very young nipper, a few years before we moved to St. Mary's)...he used to still run around the touchline of the pitch most mornings right up into the mid-eighties; until not long before he passed away, he was an incredibly fit man for his age. Also very soft-spoken.

 

I always tell someone I know from Norwich that, a. there's a statue of a local lad from Thetford outside Southampton's stadium and when he asks why, I always reply that b. this club owes more to that man than he ever knew or would admit to knowing, a lovely unassuming fella (I would very surprised if he'd be too happy we've made a statue of him, since he'd probably say he was just doing the job he enjoyed).

 

I hear he had a canny eye for talent spotting and finally, if you watch the 76 FA Cup final, when we won, who was sitting next to Lawrie and the first to congratulate him? that's right, Edric "Ted" Bates, r.i.p Mr Southampton.

[Jeff Le Taxi]

Bit surprised and disappointed we didnt make more of the anniversary, especially on here...

Always irks me how much people make of Mr Liebherr, although im very grateful, a few years of investment compared to Teds LIFETIME of toil for the club.

[rooney]

After admiring him for years, I met him with my son in the Hospitality Lounge at the Dell in the early 80's for the first time. He fetched our drinks on that day and was mixing and chatting with all the guests. What a man.

[Golden Balls]

10 years? Wow!

 

Too young to have witnessed what he achieved as a player or manager but obviously realise his input into the club.

 

Do hope he and Markus can somehow look down on us and witness what the club is doing now.

 

Mr Southampton

[Colinjb]

Remember vividly the day he passed away. The statue outside the main entrance was the least the club could do in his memory.... that whole process was one of the most farcical in our history, symbolic of the club's position at the time and utterly contrary to the man.

 

I do not believe his passing and the timing of our demise after where not separate issues... Without Mr Southampton we lost our way for a while.

[Bad Wolf]

Shame he's not around now. He'd be loving it. Same goes for Markus. Hope they're in Heaven discussing their experiences of Saints together.

[hutch]

Shame he's not around now. He'd be loving it. Same goes for Markus. Hope they're in Heaven discussing their experiences of Saints together.

Nah, he's been here before.

 

R.I.P. Ted

[Colinjb]

Shame he's not around now. He'd be loving it. Same goes for Markus. Hope they're in Heaven discussing their experiences of Saints together.

 

Now that would be excellent!! Imagine the transcript for that......

[ottery st mary]

Sir Ted Bates...RIP

 

Gentleman through and through.

 

Met him several times and always spent time to have a little chat.