Legends get together to raise money in memory of Boro star

A TEAM of Leeds United legends will be in Marske this weekend for a charity match against Marske United Legends to raise funds and awareness for a charity set up to honour the legacy of Middlesbrough promotion-winner Bill Gates.

- By CRAIG JOHNS Football writer

Gates played his final game against then English champions Leeds United at Ayresome Park shortly after Jack Charlton's Boro had won the second division title and secured promotion. Gates was just 29 when he retired due to debilitating migraines due to heading the ball.

Gates would go on to become a successful businessman before developing dementia-like symptoms later in life that were diagnosed after death as CTE, the brain disease caused by heading a football.

Bill died in October 2023 but his wife Dr Judith Gates and children founded Head Safe Football in his honour a charity dedicated to safeguarding all players who take part in football.