Richard Bate, who died on April 25th, 2018 aged 71, has been described as the ‘best coach educator’ of a generation as well as an ‘artist’ and ‘master’ of his craft, in a wide range of tributes by his peers in coaching and coach education.

Richard, who lived with his wife, Maggie, at Howle Hill, Ross-on-Wye had worked as a coach and educator all his life, working in 63 different countries during his career. His funeral took place at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye. More than 300 people attended.

Richard, known as Dick, was the subject of glowing tributes at his funeral service, and was featured in the popular FA online magazine The Boot Room.

A dedication ceremony took place at St George’s Park National Football Centre, Burton-Upon-Trent on Wednesday, August 15th when Pitch 10 was officially renamed the Dick Bate Pitch.

In the online article former FA Head of Coaching, and long-time friend, John Peacock, said:?“Dick’s contribution to the game was immense. I’ve spent a lot of time in coaching and coach education and he was the best coach educator I ever worked with. His legacy will be long remembered.

“People put value on his words and became better at their jobs because of him. I’m not sure the wider English game fully understood the work he did behind the scenes and the way that he educated so many people to become better coaches,” added Peacock.

At his funeral on May 10th, many of those who have been influenced by Mr Bate came together to pay their respects to a man described as leaving an ‘indelible mark on English coaching’.

Howard Wilkinson who enjoyed a close relationship with Bate after playing, coaching and working with him for over four decades, said:?“In my opinion teaching is the most important profession in the world.

“Good teachers aren’t as thick on the ground as you’d like; great teachers come along rarely. Dick Bate was a great teacher and a great coach. He loved the game, loved teaching, loved coaching and he loved developing his expertise.”

Mr Bate worked as a National Coach with the England men’s U16 team - where he coached a young Wayne Rooney – as well as enjoying a spell with the Women’s senior side.

During his career, Dick was employed at many professional clubs including Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds United, Hereford and Cardiff City.

Current England U21 head coach, Aidy Boothroyd, employed Mr Bate as Academy Manager at Watford. He paid tribute to Mr Bate in the Boot Room magazine. He said:?“We’ve not only lost a top coach and a top coach educator but a really top person.

“Dick’s idea of heaven was a decent football pitch. The players, bibs, cones and balls were colours on his artist’s pallet. As a coach and an educator, he was an artist and the football pitch was his canvas. His art will live long in the minds of those he taught.”

As well as being remembered by those who knew him at the Football Association Mr Bate will also be missed by his wife and family.

Donations at the funeral were for the Giles Trust for brain tumour research. Mrs Bate is planning a further fundraiser for brain tumour research later this year.