Mark Grew - Player Profile

MARK GREW (Goalkeeper).   Mark Stuart Grew grew up in Bilston in the West Midlands where he attended the goalkeeping academy ran by legendary Wolves goalkeeper Bert Williams after accepting that he "was probably too fat and lazy to play outfield". He turned professional with West Bromwich Albion in the 1976-77 season, having just starred in the 1976 FA Youth Cup final, which ended in a 5–0 victory over Wolves on aggregate. During the 1978-79 campaign he joined Latics on loan where he played four league games in the absence, due to injury, of John Brown. On his return to West Brom he played 33 league games for the "Baggies" as he faced competition from the first team slot from Tony Godden. In 1983 he joined Leicester City of the First Division, for a £60,000 fee. He played five top-flight games for Gordon Milne's "Foxes" as cover for the injured Mark Wallington during that first season. He also played five games on loan at Oldham, before he moved to First Division club Ipswich for a £60,000 fee in March 1984. He was to spend two seasons with the "Tractor Boys", but played just six league games. He also played four games on loan at Fulham in 1985 and returned to West Brom on loan in 1986. 

In 1986 Mark signed for Port Vale where he became the first-choice goalkeeper. He spent six years at Vale Park, making almost 200 League appearances. He twice won the club's Player of the Year award and played in the clubs 1989 play off victory.   

He moved to Cardiff City in 1992 and won the Third Division title with the club in 1992-93, he also picked up two Welsh Cup winners medals. His final club was Hednesford Town whom he signed for in 1994 and left in 1995.

After retiring as a player, he remained in the game, spending eight years as a coach at Port Vale before the club fell into administration and he was relieved of his duties in 2002. He quickly returned to his coaching position at the club, though, and remained a key member of the backroom staff. He has had three spells as caretaker manager for the Potteries club.  

In his 2012 book Robbie Earle described Mark as the ‘voice of reason’ in the changing room at Vale Park and noted that he was ‘never short of a word’ and largely responsible for the winning culture that developed in the club.

Mark left Port Vale in May 2015 as part of new manager's Rob Page's reshuffle of his backroom staff. He decided to take time out of football to undergo a back operation.

He was awarded a testimonial match to honour his 25 years of service to the Vale Park club.