Ford: Mark Stuart (Mark)

1993-1997 (Leeds Player Details)(Player Details)

Midfield

Born: Pontefract: 10-10-1975

Debut v Swindon Town (a) (substitute): 07-05-1994

5’8” 10st 8lb (1995)

As a youngster he represented York and North Yorkshire boys, joining United’s professional ranks in March 1993 after attending Tadcaster Grammar School and coming through the Leeds Juniors. He was captain of United’s successful FA Youth Cup winning team, who was also rewarded with England Youth Caps and two England Under-21 caps. Handed a debut in the last game of the 1993-94 season, he failed to make the first team in the next season and it looked as though he was on the way out of Elland Road. The hard-tackling Ford looked like a player in the David Batty mould when he broke back into the side during the 1995-96 season on a more regular basis. Ford made a solid contribution to United’s run to the Coca Cola Cup Final, earning a place in the starting line-up against Aston Villa at Wembley. However the bookings piled up and suspensions kept him out of the team at the end of the season. He was restricted to only fifteen starts in 1996-97 and was sold to Burnley for £250,000 in June 1997. After making his debut at Watford on 9th August 1997, he had a successful first season with Burnley but broke an ankle in the opening day of the 1998-99 League season at home to Bristol Rovers on 8th August 1998and, after being out for three months, he struggled to regain his place. He played his final game at Turf Moor against Manchester City on 9th March 1999. He stayed at Turf Moor for two years, making forty-three League starts and five more from the bench in scoring one goal, having one start and one game from the bench in the F.A.Cup and two more starts in the League Cup and five starts and one more from the bench in other games, but after a change of Manager in May 1999 he was given a free transfer to Belgian club KFC Lommelse Sportkring. He made sixteen appearances before being released by them in July 2000. Torquay United quickly took him on a Bosman move and Ford turned down offers from Darlington, Hull City and Rotherham United in favour of the Devon team. A popular player with the fans he was appointed temporary club captain. He scored three goals in twenty-eight League games, one goal in two F.A. Cup games but failed to score in two League Cup games and one other game for them before he was sold to Darlington on 19th February 2001 for £15,000. There he scored nine League goals in fifty-five starts and two games from the bench and playing twice in both the F.A. Cup and the League Cup without scoring. He left them on 28th August 2003 after having a short spell on loan with Non-League Leigh RMI, where he played thirteen games, one being as a substitute. He was snapped up by Harrogate Town, on a free transfer, scoring on debut. He later had a spell on a part-time basis with Tadcaster Albion from September 2006. Ford became a train driver with Northern Rail.