In January 1932, Bate rejoined his former club Chorley and played for them until the end of the 1931–32 season, when he left to join Lancashire Combination rivals Bacup Borough. In his first campaign with Bacup, the team struggled in the league, finishing 19th out of 20 teams. Bate continued to play for Bacup Borough through the 1933–34 season, but left in September 1934 to join Fleetwood. However, his spell at the Highbury Stadium was brief and he returned to Bacup in November of the same year, and went on to end his career with the club. Bate died in Lancaster in February 1993, at the age of 84.
