Littlehampton Town Football Club is devastated by the news of the passing of Pat Bates following a short illness, at the age of 89. Pat was a familiar face within Sussex Football. Mother of club legend Steve ‘Basher’ Bates and mother-in-law to former player and manager Mark Bennett, she was on the turnstiles at the Sportsfield for 22 years. In the last two years she was assisted on the gate by her daughter Gillian.

Not only did she run the gate on matchday, behind the scenes Pat also dealt with washing all the kit making sure it was ready for all the club's teams. A role she held for over 15 years.

Chairman Rob McAlees paid tribute to Pat and her time with the club: “Local football clubs are built on hard work and dedication and Littlehampton Town are no different to any others. Today we lost one of those special people that gave their all to the club and asked for nothing in return.

"We will play football matches again and enjoy each other's company but today we have sadness in our hearts and tears in our eyes. I cannot pay a better compliment to Pat than to say she was our heartbeat and signified everything about Littlehampton Town Football Club”.

General Manager James Askew said: “Pat was a true stalwart of the Golds. There are so many stories that could be told about Pat on the gate, from trying to charge players to get in, to a newspaper reporter calling her a "Rottweiler" as their name wasn’t on the free entry list. Matchdays will never be the same again at The Sportsfield.”

Former player, committee member and kit man Alan Stoner added: “Pat has always been a part of my life, from the early days of Sunday morning football when she would always turn up in the cold and rain with flasks of tea and coffee. Her support continued until this very day where she has become a stalwart at LTFC. I will miss you Pat, god bless you.”

Everyone’s thoughts at the club at this time are with Steve, Gillian, Julie and the extended family.

The club will pay full tribute to Pat before our first home competitive game next season.