John Wark

Infobox Football biography
playername = John Wark


fullname = John Wark
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1957|8|4
cityofbirth = Glasgow
countryofbirth = Scotland
height =
nickname =
position = Defensive midfielder
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1975-1984
1984-1988
1988-1990
1990-1991
1991-1997
clubs = Ipswich Town
Liverpool
Ipswich Town
Middlesbrough
Ipswich Town
caps(goals) = 296 0(94)
070 0(28)
089 0(23)
032 00(2)
164 0(18)
nationalyears = 1979-1984
nationalteam = Scotland
nationalcaps(goals) = 029 00(7)

John Wark (born Glasgow, 4 August 1957) was a Scottish footballer who grew up in the Ipswich Town side of the 1970s and went on to become a player synonymous with the club. He was also part of the all conquering Liverpool side of the mid 1980s. Wark was a defensive midfield player with an astonishing goalscoring record. He could also play effectively as a central defender, and occasionally as a striker.

Playing career

After being discovered by scout George Findlay, Wark, who had previously had a trial with Manchester City who lost out due to them taking too long over making a decision, came through the ranks at Ipswich, making his debut on 27 March 1975, aged 17, in the 3-2 FA Cup 6th round(3rd replay) victory over Leeds United at Leicester City's Filbert Street. He was part of the young side managed by Bobby Robson which surprised favourites Arsenal in the 1978 FA Cup final, winning the game 1-0, Wark came close to scoring when he hit the post twice with shots in the second half of the game at Wembley.

In 1979, Wark was selected to play for his country, eventually winning 29 caps for Scotland scoring seven goals. Jock Stein gave him his debut on 19 May 1979 in a British Home Championship match against Wales at Ninian Park, Scotland, who included the likes of Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish, were totally out gunned losing 3 goals to nil. His first international goal came a week later on the 26th, again, in a British Championship game, this time England at Wembley were the opponents, unfortunately for Scotland Wark's solitary strike wasn't enough as the Auld Enemy scored 3 in reply.

Twice in three seasons thereafter Ipswich came within one game of winning the League championship, but missed out to Liverpool and Aston Villa respectively. However, they did win the UEFA Cup in 1981, with Wark setting a record for the competition by scoring a phenomenal 14 goals, including one in the final as Ipswich overcame Dutch side AZ 67 Alkmaar 5-4 on aggregate. He triumphed personally that year too, winning the acclaim of his fellow professionals to earn the Player of the Year award.

In the same year, Wark was one of many professional players recruited to act in the football film "Escape to Victory", playing Arthur Hayes. However, his voice had to be dubbed due to his broad Glasweigian accent. Also appearing in the cult football film that was set in World War ll was Bobby Moore and Pelé as well as actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael Caine.

Wark continued to play for Ipswich but the side was gradually being broken up after Robson left to become England manager in 1982. Wark, who in the same year was in the Scotland squad which went to the World Cup in Spain and scored two goals, eventually joined the exodus when he signed for Liverpool for £450,000 on 10 March 1984 as a replacement for Graeme Souness, who was leaving to play for Sampdoria in Italy that summer.

Wark settled into life at Anfield well to start with, playing enough matches at the back end of his first season to earn himself a championship medal. He made his Reds debut on 31 March '84 in the 2-0 league win over Watford at Vicarage Road, the scoreline rounded off a perfect day for Wark as he had opened the scoring in the 58th minute. Wark then showed his worth as a goalscoring midfielder the following year when he finished the season as the clubs top goalscorer finishing ahead of Ian Rush in doing so, he managed to hit 27 goals in 62 appearances, a goal every 2.3 games, a superb strike rate for a midfield player.

Unfortunately, he broke his leg in the early part of 1986 and missed out on the club's run-in to their only League and FA Cup "double", though Wark played in enough matches before his injury to earn another title medal.

He battled back to fitness but struggled to regain his place, coming on as a late substitute (and consequentially never touching the ball) when Liverpool lost the 1987 League Cup final to Arsenal. Not a part of manager Kenny Dalglish's plans any longer, Wark was sold back to Ipswich on 4 January 1988 for £100,000. Despite his injury, Wark left the Merseysiders with an impressive record of 42 goals in 108 appearances, a remarkable goal every 2.6 games.

Two more productive years at Ipswich followed, although by now they were in the second division. Wark's experience and stamina were a big help as he missed just two games in two seasons and scored another 20 goals. He turned down the offer of a new contract in 1990 and signed for Middlesbrough in the August of 1990 but stayed at Ayresome Park for just one season.

Without a club at the start of the 1991/92 season, he trained with Ipswich to keep fit, but was offered a short term deal after Town were faced with a defensive injury crisis. He produced a series of outstanding displays as Ipswich won the Second Division title that season and Wark was voted the club's player of the year for the third time.

Wark ultimately became one of Ipswich's legendary players and one of football's most respected and dedicated individuals, he remained at Ipswich until he hung up his boots in 1997, just before his 40th birthday. An astute conversion from midfield to the less physically arduous position of central defender had prolonged his playing career. His final tally was 531 League games for the club from a total of 771 as a professional.

Retirement

He now works in the corporate hospitality department at Ipswich. Like many other ex-Ipswich players he settled in Suffolk following his retirement from the game. John plays for Soccer AM's the Badgers, and as a result was included in Football Manager 2005.

John also turns out for the Liverpool veterans who have dominated the Sky Sports Masters series in recent years and has also travelled with them to foreign climates as an ambassador for the club.

Wark certainly made his mark during his time at Anfield and became a firm favourite with the crowd. This statement was backed up during the summer of 2006 when he gained the final place in the poll 100 Players Who Shook The Kop which was conducted by the [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv official Liverpool Football Club web site.] Over 110,000 supporters worldwide had to choose the favourite 10 players of all time.

Career Honours

Honours As Player

flagicon|England Ipswich Town

Winner
* 1977-78 FA Cup
* 1980-81 UEFA Cup
* 1981 PFA Players' Player of the Year

Runner Up
* 1978-79 Charity Shield
* 1980-81 Football League First Division (Level 1)
* 1981-82 Football League First Division (Level 1)

flagicon|England Liverpool

Winner
* 1983-84 Football League First Division (Level 1)
* 1985-86 Football League First Division (Level 1)

Runner Up
* 1984-85 Charity Shield
* 1984-85 Intercontinental Cup
* 1984-85 European Super Cup
* 1984-85 Football League First Division (Level 1)
* 1984-85 European Cup
* 1986-87 Littlewoods League Cup
* 1986-87 Football League First Division (Level 1)

flagicon|England Ipswich Town

Winner
* 1991-92 Football League Second Division (Level 2)

flagicon|Scotland Scotland

* 1979-84 29 caps 7 goals

External links

* [http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/past_players/players/wark/ Official past players at Liverpoolfc.tv]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=438 Player profile at LFChistory.net]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/redcorner_articles_view.asp?article_id=973 Exclusive interview at LFChistory.net]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2202 Ipswich Town seasonal record (part 1) 1974/75-1979/80 at Sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2203 Ipswich Town seasonal record (part 2) 1980/81-1983/84 at Sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2204 Liverpool biography 1984/88 at Sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2205 Ipswich Town seasonal record (part 3) 1988/89-1989/90 at Sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2206 Ipswich Town seasonal record (part 4) 1991/92-1996/97 at Sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_international.asp?HeroID=2580 Scottish international record, Scottish Caps 1979-84 at Sporting-heroes.net]
* [http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FormerBlues/0,,10272~584272,00.html Former Blues at I.T.F.C.premium.co.uk]