Rhys Oates

Rhys Oates

Oates playing for Hartlepool United in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Rhys Derek Oates [1]
Date of birth	(1994-12-04) 4 December 1994 (age 29)
Place of birth	Pontefract, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Mansfield Town
Number	18
Youth career
0000–2013	Barnsley
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–2015	Barnsley	9	(0)
2013	→ Gainsborough Trinity (loan)	5	(2)
2014	→ Stockport County (loan)	12	(1)
2014	→ Grimsby Town (loan)	6	(1)
2014	→ Chester (loan)	6	(2)
2015–2018	Hartlepool United	99	(12)
2016	→ Gateshead (loan)	6	(1)
2018–2020	Morecambe	36	(6)
2020–2021	Hartlepool United	37	(14)
2021–	Mansfield Town	76	(15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:37, 21 April 2024 (UTC)

Rhys Derek Oates (born 4 December 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for League Two club Mansfield Town.

Career

Barnsley

Oates began his career at Barnsley after joining them at the age of six ^[2] and in May 2013, during his second year, signed his first professional contract for one year, ^[3] this after he was nominated for the "Academy Scholar of the Year". ^[4]

After spending pre-season in Spain with the Barnsley team Oates was loaned out to Conference North side Gainsborough Trinity on a one-month deal to stand a better chance of getting first team football. ^[5] Oates made his Gainsborough Trinity debut against Telford United the next day ^[6] then scored a brace in a 2–2 draw against Worcester City. ^[7] After making five appearances and scoring twice Oates returned to his parent club despite attempts to extend his loan at Gainsborough Trinity. ^{[8] [9]}

On 31 January 2014 Oates joined another Conference North side Stockport County in the 2013–14 season. ^[10] By the end of February he had his loan at Stockport County extended for another month, ^[11] and scored his first Stockport County goal in a 2–2 draw against Barrow on 5 March 2014, earning himself "Man of the Match". ^[12] Oates made his return to his parent club after scoring once in twelve appearances and signed a new one-year contract with Barnsley in May 2014. ^[13]

After coming on as a substitute for Sam Winnall in the 89th minute against Crewe during his Barnsley debut, ^[14] Oates signed for Conference Premier team Grimsby Town on a one-month loan on 19 September 2014. ^[15] His Grimsby debut came in a Conference Premier match against Kidderminster Harriers where he came on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Jack Mackreth and fired in from 20 yards on 85 minutes. ^[16] He made six appearances and scored once for Grimsby Town but returned to his parent club despite Grimsby Town keen to extend for another month. ^{[17] [18]}

Oates then signed on loan until 20 December 2014 ^[19] for Conference Premier team Chester and made his debut the same day, coming on as a substitute for Craig Hobson in the 65th minute in a 3–1 loss against Macclesfield Town, ^[20] but then scored two goals in two consecutive games, firstly against Bristol Rovers ^[21] then Dartford. ^[22] After scoring twice in seven appearances in all competitions Oates' loan spell with Chester finished and he returned to his parent club. ^[23]

After returning to Barnsley Oates played his first match on 26 December 2014 coming on as a substitute for Kane Hemmings in the 67th minute of a 1–0 loss against Preston North End, ^[24] he then provided two assists in separate matches, firstly in a 5–1 loss on 14 February 2015 ^[25] against Crawley Town and then against Rochdale in a 5–0 win in the last game of the season. ^[26] After this, Oates was among seven players released by the club. ^[27]

Hartlepool United

After being released by Barnsley, Oates joined League Two side Hartlepool United on 28 May 2015. ^[28] His first appearance for Hartlepool came as a late substitute in a 2–0 win against Morecambe on the opening day of the 2015–16 season. ^[29] Oates' first goal came in a 1–1 draw with Barnet. ^[30] On his final appearance for Hartlepool, Oates scored a goal in a 2–1 win at Tranmere Rovers. ^[31] Oates was released on 17 May 2018 after making 109 appearances for the club. ^[32]

Morecambe

In June 2018 it was announced that he would sign for Morecambe on a two-year contract on 1 July 2018, alongside Zak Mills. ^[33] Oates was released at the end of the 2019–20 season. ^[34]

Hartlepool United

Oates signed for Hartlepool for a second time on 1 August 2020 following his release from Morecambe. ^[35] Oates made his debut in his second spell at Hartlepool as a substitute in a 2–1 win against Aldershot Town. ^[36] His first goal of the 2020–21 season came in his twelfth appearance of the season in a 4–0 win over Stockport County. ^{[37] [38]} Following an injury to goalkeeper Ben Killip against Boreham Wood (and with no goalkeepers on the bench), Oates played in goal for the remainder of the match from the 39th minute. ^[39] Hartlepool drew the match 2–2 with Oates conceding no goals. ^[39] Oates reached double figures for the 2020–21 season with two goals in a 7–2 victory against Wealdstone. ^{[40] [41]} Following the arrival of Luke Armstrong in December 2020, the pair would form a strong partnership that brought over 30 goals. ^{[42] [43]} This good form saw him score his highest goal tally for a season of 17 goals. ^[43]

This included a brace in the play-off eliminator win against Bromley. ^[44] He was then voted as the Players' and Fans' Player of the Year. ^[45] Oates then scored the only goal in the play-off semi-final as Hartlepool beat Stockport County to book a place in the final. ^[46] Oates got the assist in the 2021 National League play-off final as Hartlepool defeated Torquay United on penalties after an initial 1–1 draw to gain promotion back to the Football League. ^[47]

Mansfield Town

On 8 July 2021, Oates joined Mansfield Town on a two-year contract after the expiration of his contract with Hartlepool. ^[48] On his exit from Hartlepool, manager Dave Challinor criticised Oates for the manner of his departure in an official statement by the club claiming that he didn't communicate to any of Hartlepool's staff of his final decision. ^[49] He scored a fifth-minute winner in an FA Cup away tie against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. ^[50] Oates started for Mansfield in the 2022 EFL League Two play-off final, a 3–0 defeat to Port Vale, however he finished the season with 12 goals. ^[51] On 29 October 2022, Oates signed a contract extension until the summer of 2024. ^[52]

In January 2024, manager Nigel Clough confirmed that Oates would be out for a period of nine months due to a knee injury. ^[53] On 6 June 2024, Oates was announced to have signed a new one-year contract with the club. ^[54]

Career statistics

As of match played 1 January 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Barnsley	2013–14 [55]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2014–15 [56]	League One	9	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
	Total		9	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
Gainsborough Trinity (loan)	2013–14 [57]	Conference North	5	2	0	0	—		0	0	5	2
Stockport County (loan)	2013–14 [57]	Conference North	12	1	0	0	—		0	0	12	1
Grimsby Town (loan)	2014–15 [57]	Conference Premier	6	1	0	0	—		0	0	6	1
Chester (loan)	2014–15 [57]	Conference Premier	6	2	0	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	7	2
Hartlepool United	2015–16 [58]	League Two	38	2	4	1	2	0	1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	45	3
	2016–17 [59]	League Two	25	3	0	0	0	0	2 [lower-alpha 3]	2	27	5
	2017–18 [57]	National League	36	7	2	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	39	7
	Total		99	12	6	1	2	0	4	2	111	15
Gateshead (loan)	2016–17 [57]	National League	6	1	0	0	—		0	0	6	1
Morecambe	2018–19 [60]	League Two	31	6	2	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	35	6
	2019–20 [61]	League Two	5	0	0	0	2	0	2 [lower-alpha 3]	0	9	0
	Total		36	6	2	0	3	0	3	0	44	6
Hartlepool United	2020–21 [57]	National League	37	14 [lower-alpha 4]	1	0	—		3 [lower-alpha 5]	3	41	17
Mansfield Town	2021–22 [62]	League Two	38	9	3	2	1	0	5 [lower-alpha 6]	1	47	12
	2022–23 [63]	League Two	24	4	1	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 3]	1	27	5
	2023–24 [64]	League Two	14	2	1	1	3	2	0	0	18	5
	Total		76	15	5	3	5	2	6	2	92	24
Career total			292	54	15	4	10	2	17	7	334	67

1. Appearance in FA Trophy
2. Appearance in Football League Trophy
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
4. Gavan Holohan's goal against Aldershot Town on 3 October 2020 has been incorrectly attributed to Oates on Soccerway and Soccerbase.
5. Appearances in National League play-offs
6. Two appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in EFL League Two play-offs

Honours

Hartlepool United

• National League play-offs: 2021 ^[65]

Mansfield Town

• EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2023–24 ^[66]

Individual

• Hartlepool United Players' Player of the Year: 2020–21 ^[45]
• Hartlepool United Fans' Player of the Year: 2020–21 ^[45]

References

1. "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014.
2. "OH MUMMY! Oates prepares for Pools army camp by training in heat of Egypt". Hartlepool Mail. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
3. "Five Youngsters Sign Pro Deals". Barnsley F.C. 16 May 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
4. "Cranie and Perkins Scoop Awards". Barnsley F.C. 27 April 2013. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
5. "Oates Joins Gainsborough Trinity". Barnsley F.C. 31 August 2013. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
6. "Gainsborough Trinity v AFC Telford United: Match preview". Lincolnshire Echo. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
7. "Oates Strikes Two for Trinity". Barnsley F.C. 18 September 2013. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
8. "Gainsborough Trinity striker Mark Jones scotches rumours and confirms Spalding move". Lincolnshire Echo. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
9. "Gainsborough Trinity skipper Michael Leary at least eight weeks away from return". Lincolnshire Echo. 3 October 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
10. Thompson, Tom. "Rhys Oates Signs on at County". stockportcounty.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
11. "Shane Lewis joins on Loan". Stockport County F.C. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
12. "Man of the Match Oates Nets For Hatters". Barnsley F.C. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
13. "Barnsley teenager Rhys Oates signs contract extension". Sky Sports . Retrieved 7 September 2014.
14. "Crewe Alexandra 1 – 2 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
15. "Grimsby Town sign Barnsley striker Rhys Oates on loan". 19 September 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
16. "Kidderminster 0 – 1 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
17. "Parslow Recalled". Grimsby Town F.C. 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
18. "Town Look To Extend Loan Deals". Grimsby Town F.C. 16 October 2014. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
19. "Double signing for Blues". Chester F.C. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
20. "Macclesfield Town 3 – 1 Chester". BBC Sport. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
21. "Chester 2 – 2 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
22. "Loan Round-Up: Oates & Noble-Lazarus on Target". Barnsley F.C. 26 November 2014. Archived from the original on 26 November 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
23. "Kane Richards joins the Blues as Rhys Oates departs". Chester F.C. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
24. "Preston North End 1 – 0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
25. "Crawley Town 5 – 1 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
26. "Barnsley 5 – 0 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
27. "Barnsley FC Retained List". Barnsley F.C. 7 May 2015. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
28. "Pools Complete Second Summer Signing". Hartlepool United F.C. 28 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
29. "Hartlepool United 2–0 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
30. "Hartlepool 1–1 Barnet - Match Report & Highlights". Sky Sports. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
31. "Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
32. "Pools Announce Retained List". Hartlepool United F.C. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
33. "Morecambe: Rhys Oates and Zak Mills sign on free transfers". BBC Sport. 21 June 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
34. "Kevin Ellison: Morecambe release the second oldest player in the EFL, at the age of 41". BBC Sport. 16 June 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
35. "Rhys Oates signs for Pools". Hartlepool United. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
36. "Hartlepool United 2–1 Aldershot Town analysed and assessed - Dominic Scurr's verdict of Pools' first ever National League opening day win". Hartlepool Mail. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
37. "Hartlepool United 4–0 Stockport County". BBC Sport. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
38. "Rhys Oates". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
39. "Match Report: Pools come from behind twice to take a point at Boreham Wood". Hartlepool United F.C. 5 April 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
40. "Match Report: A Monumental Day at Wealdstone". Hartlepool United F.C. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
41. "Rhys Oates". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
42. "Pools sign Luke Armstrong". BBC Sport. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
43. Matty Jones (29 May 2021). "Rhys Oates 'playing his best football' with Hartlepool". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
44. "Hartlepool 3–2 Bromley". BBC Sport. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
45. Dominic Scurr (30 May 2021). "Hartlepool United player of the season Rhys Oates reacts following goal in front of 1,700 supporters against Weymouth". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
46. "Stockport County 0–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
47. "National League promotion final:Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United". BBC Sport. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
48. "Stags fight off competition for highly-rated forward". www.mansfieldtown.net. 8 July 2021.
49. "Rhys Oates departs". Hartlepool United. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
50. "Sunderland 0–1 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
51. Andrew Aloia (28 May 2022). "League Two play-off final: Mansfield Town 0–3 Port Vale". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
52. "Rhys Oates: Injured Mansfield Town striker agrees contract extension". BBC Sport. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
53. "Rhys Oates: Mansfield Town striker out for nine months but Alfie Kilgour signs new deal". BBC Sport. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
54. @mansfieldtownfc (6 June 2024). "🤝 Mansfield Town Football Club are delighted to announce that forwards Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates have signed new one year deals at the club. #Stags 🟡🔵" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 June 2024– via Twitter.
55. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
56. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
57. "R. Oates: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
58. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
59. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
60. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
61. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
62. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
63. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
64. "Games played by Rhys Oates in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
65. Pilnick, Brent (20 June 2021). "Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
66. https://www.mansfieldtown.net/news/2024/april/boss-character-was-central-to-promotion/

External links

• Rhys Oates at Soccerbase