Famous Players – The 1970’s

Mark Chamberlain

Speedy winger and local lad Mark started his Vale career as a substitute in a home game against Scunthorpe in August 1978, aged just 16.  His full debut came later that season in April 1979 and he signed his first professional contract the following month.

He became a first team regular for John McGrath in the 1980/81 campaign, scoring 10 goals in the process.  He was then an ever present in 1981/82, playing 55 games, scoring 9 goals and was included in the PFA League Four team of the season.

Mark was sold to Stoke City in August 1982 in a combined deal with Vale goalkeeper Mark Harrison which was worth £180,000.  Already an England U21 international by that stage, Mark broke into the England senior team during his first season at Stoke and scored on his debut for the national team against Luxembourg at Wembley.

He went on to play a further 7 times for England during his time at Stoke and also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and Brighton before finishing his playing career at Exeter.

Mark is father of former Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.