Mark Sale

Mark Sale

Born 27 February 1972 (Age 27 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #121)

Total appearances 13 – 2 goals

(10 League, 2 Hillier Senior Cup, 1 Maunsell Cup)

Debut:

31 July 1999 (Home Northampton Town)

Final game:

10 April 2001 (Home Kettering Town)

Mark started his career with Stoke City’s youth set up, and played just two League games for the club at the end of the 1990/1991 season before being released. The 6’5″ striker joined non-league Rocester before moving to Birmingham City in March 1992, making 27 appearances over the following fifteen months. In the summer of 1993, Mark moved to Torquay United for £10,000, and struck up a good partnership with Duane Darby, scoring 8 goals in 51 games. The following season, he moved to Preston North End for £20,000 where he scored 7 goals from 20 appearances. In the summer of 1995, he earned a £50,000 move to Mansfield Toiwn where he played 52 games, scoring 13 times. In March 1997, he moved to Colchester United for £23,500 becoming a regular in the first team. He lost his place in the side the following season, and went on loan to Plymouth Argyle in March 1999 until the end of the season, when he was released. Mark signed for Diamonds on 14 July 1999 for a £30,000 transfer fee. Health problems restricted his time with Diamonds and he was eventually diagnosed with Hodgkin Disease resulting in a period of chemotherapy. It was thought he would be unable to continue his career in football, but after a lengthy period on the sidelines, he managed to regain his fitness. After a fifteen month lay-off, he made his return to the first team in the 4-1 defeat at Dover – just about the only positive on that day. He only played a further three games however, scoring in both Hillier Senior Cup games that season.

He was released in May 2001 following Diamonds promotion into the Football League and joined Conference side Doncaster Rovers. After a single season, he joined Tamworth and went out to Hucknall Town in September 2003 on loan. He returned after one month in order to make a permanent move to Alfreton Town. Further moves to Northwich Victoria in June 2005, and Hednesford Town in January 2007. In January 2008, Mark was appointed Youth Development Officer for Burton Albion (his home town), leading their youth squad to the Football Conference Youth League Title in 2009. He worked there with Gary Rowett, and followed him to Birmingham City where he was appointed First-team coach. He then worked with Rowett at Derby County and then became First-Team Coach at Stoke City in 2018. He took up a role as Opposition Analyst at Millwall at the start of 2020.

Appearances

1999/2000

2000/2001