July 2010

The prolific striker, who is now equally composed in front of TV cameras as a football pundit, kicks off a new season of Famous Fans features that will light up the official Johnstone’s Paint Trophy website to coincide with Johnstone’s fifth season of sponsorship.

We sat down with Mark to ask him about his favourite club team, and managed to unearth a Port Vale supporter in the process.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: Who is your club and how long have you supported them?

Mark: Port Vale. I can't call myself a huge supporter, but I favour them and have looked out for their results since I was five to six-years-old.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: Can you remember your first match?

Mark: Port Vale v West Ham in a cup game I think. A family friend took me, and I was about 10-years-old.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: What was your most memorable game / moment as a fan and why?

Mark: In the 1992-93 season I went to Wembley to see the Vale beat Stockport County 2-1 in the then Autoglass Trophy. It was a great moment watching Vale win a trophy at Wembley, and to see my old coach John Rudge collect some silverware.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: How often do you get to a game? Ever been to a JPT game?

If I'm not working and The Vale come to London then I try to go and watch them. I’ve been to two JPT finals, when Paul Ince was manager at MK Dons they beat Grimsby 2-0, and last season, my old team mate Alan Pardew's Southampton beat Carlisle 4-1.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: Why do you love your club so much?

Mark: That's what football fans do.

Johnstone’s Paint Trophy: What do you think have been the major benefits of the Johnstone’s PaintTrophy to football?

Mark: More Football League fans get the chance to see their team play at Wembley, The FA Cup and League Cup tend to be won by Premier League clubs. The gates to some of the JPT finals have been brilliant and prove that there is life outside of the Premier League.

Johnstone’s. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.