Bates has made 17 appearances for Middlesbrough this season

Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates has revealed his pride at captaining his boyhood team in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hull City.

The 23-year-old academy graduate made his Boro debut in December 2004 but Saturday's game at the Riverside was his first as skipper.

"It was a nice moment, I've supported the club since I was a kid, as have my family," Bates told BBC Tees.

"It was nice to wear the armband, and it was a great occasion for me."

Bates added: "Since the gaffer [Tony Mowbray] has been here, he has seen something in me that he thought would make me a good captain.

"So I've just carried on as I have been, I didn't want to approach anything different, treat the lads any different, I just trained for the game the same and played the game the same."

Bates has made 17 appearances Boro this season, scoring one goal.

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