As a schoolboy I played for Deans Sports where my Dad was the Manager. My Dad played for Wigan and semi pro with Stalybridge and Ashton United and passed on his football skills and knowledge to me Jamie and Chris as many other kids at Deans.

I always played for my Dad’s teams. We always had strong sides. We were the first team from Deans to win the famous Isle of Wight Youth Tournament.

At seven years of age I was picked up by Manchester United where I stayed until I was fourteen. From there I went Sheffield United for two years.

Stepping up into Adult football who did you play for? To most of us we have always known you as a striker, has that always been the case?

When I was at United I was a left back. However, when I moved to Sheffield United I moved to playing left wing/ striker.

I would say from being 16 onwards I always played as a striker. I started playing for local Sunday Pub teams before me and my brothers started a very good Sunday team and then started playing for Monton on a Saturday.

Do you have any special stories/memories of those times?

In football, you have good and bad memories. With our Sunday side, Light Oaks Villa, I have great memories. I was fortunate to play with all my best mates and win lots of trophies at the same time. Theirs nothing better than being able to do that each week. We had great success including winning the big prize of the North West Champion of Champions Cup, our biggest achievement.

There were some great players that I played alongside. My brothers Jamie and Chris as well as Danny White, Jake Wood, Tunji Moses and Craig Buckley.

The best player I have played alongside though was a lad called Mark Howard. He had everything. I grew up with him in school and played at United with him. I hated playing against him though as he played for our rivals Barr Hill as a kid.

You were at Monton for a while before joining Heys and were often a thorn in our side, I remember a free kick from the touchline, near the clubhouse you scored against us. How did it come about you joining Heys and what swayed you to leave Monton?

I remember that free-kick very well! Right in the top corner Ha Ha. I did score every time I played against Heys.

I enjoyed my time at Monton as I played with many close friends of mine. However, after Joffy asking me every season, for about six years, I decided it was time to move on.
For me Heys was the only place to go. I could see they were going places and I wanted to be a part of that and help move them on.

Your first season saw Heys win the treble. You scored some key goals and of course the winner in the Gilgryst Cup Final against Manchester Gregorians. What memories do you have of that goal?

Yes, winning the treble was brilliant. It was great season for Heys and although I was in and out as my wife had just had a baby I felt when I came back that I played a big part in that success, scoring some important goals.

The Cup Final to clinch the treble was a great night for everyone at Heys and for me to score the winner was a brilliant feeling.

I just remember Woody pinging the ball over the top and me using my “pace” to get in behind and lob the keeper.

Gregs keeper that night was Dan Wolstensholme, now our kit man. How often have you reminded him of that goal?
Every single week Ha Ha. We have a good laugh about it.

In the last couple of seasons, you have played goalkeeper at Heys. Is that a position you had played in before and how did you find it? How different is it to playing out field?

Well, I was just thrown in at the deep end really. Andrei got injured and I stepped in.

Growing up I used to love playing in net on the park with my brothers and friends.
However, I never played in net on a serious basis until a few years ago for Light Oaks Villa and I did well for the season I played.

It is very different to playing out field. If I make a mistake, it’s a goal. I much prefer scoring goals!

What is your role at Heys in the back-room team?
My role is as a Coach. I help out with training and warm ups and just do anything to make sure the lads are all ready for the game and training. Joffy has got a great little team around him and we all muck in to make sure everything is ready for the lads.

Is coaching / management something you would like to do in the future?
Yes, I would like to but for now I love doing what I do at Heys.

What are your thoughts on the season so far for Heys and what are your targets both personally and for Heys this season and beyond?
The season so far for Heys is going well. We are right in there for promotion. Our targets are always set high because of the talent we have which I think we have showed a lot this season.

We have still got a lot to do but I think we have what it takes to go up this season.

I don’t have any personal goals really. I just want the club and the team to go up. Just as long as we stick together I’m happy.

Mark pictured with brother Jamie after Heys Manchester League Premier Division success in 2016