Graham Oates (footballer, born 1949)

Graham Oates (born 14 March 1949) is an English former footballer who played as defender or midfielder. He played for Bradford City, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United in England, and Detroit Express and the California Surf in the North American Soccer League (NASL).

Graham Oates

Personal information
Date of birth	(1949-03-14) 14 March 1949 (age 76)
Place of birth	Bradford, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Position(s)	Defender, midfielder
Youth career
	Manningham Mills
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1969–1974	Bradford City	161	(19)
1974–1976	Blackburn Rovers	76	(10)
1976–1978	Newcastle United	35	(3)
1978–1980	Detroit Express	86	(17)
1981	California Surf	24	(5)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

While at Newcastle United, Oates scored an own goal in a match against Leeds United directly from the kick-off, lobbing goalkeeper Willie McFaul in the process. McFaul is said to have been well out of position in the execution of the preplanned play.^[2]

While a member of the Detroit Express, Oates coached the Bloomfield Hills Andover High School boys soccer team through the 1978 and 1979 seasons. In his first stint as a head coach, Oates led the 1978 squad to the Michigan High School State Soccer Championship.^{[citation needed]}