Mark McLaughlin (born 2 December 1975) is a Scottish former professional footballer.

Mark McLaughlin
Personal information
Full name Mark McLaughlin
Date of birth (1975-12-02) 2 December 1975 (age 48)
Place of birth Greenock, Scotland
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
–1999 Arthurlie ? (?)
1999–2004 Clyde 97 (14)
2004–2012 Hamilton Academical 193 (17)
2012–2013 Greenock Morton 34 (3)
2014–2015 Dumbarton 16 (1)
2015–2016 Clyde 37 (2)
2016–2018 Beith Juniors
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Since turning senior in 1999, McLaughlin has played over 100 games for both Clyde and Hamilton Academical. He has also played for Greenock Morton and Dumbarton.

Career

edit

McLaughlin, a defender, began his career at junior club Arthurlie before moving to Clyde in 1999.

Clyde

edit

McLaughlin made his debut with Clyde in a 3–1 win away from home against Stenhousemuir. On 7 October 2000 he scored his first senior football goal away to Alloa Athletic at the Recreation Park Alloa's home ground and only two weeks later he scored in a 2–2 draw against Ross County at Broadwood in the Scottish Football League First Division.

In July 2002, McLaughlin had a trial with Luton Town, which was later cancelled because he was struggling with an injury.[1]

Hamilton

edit

After five years at Clyde, he joined Hamilton Academical in 2004. He was part of the 2007–08 campaign for promotion to the SPL.

Greenock Morton

edit

After McLaughlin's contract expired at Hamilton, he rejected a new deal and decided to join the team that he has supported since childhood, Greenock Morton.[2]

McLaughlin was named as Morton's captain in August 2012.[3] He was released from his Morton contract on Christmas Eve 2013.[4] Since leaving Greenock Morton, McLaughlin says his departure left him "disappointed" because "Kenny Shiels said to me that I maybe wasn't going to play much. That's fair enough. He then told me that Airdrieonians had come in and asked if they could take me on loan. He said Airdrie would pay half my wages and Morton would pay half my wages, but I said, 'Well, I don't want to go out on loan'.[5]

Dumbarton

edit

After McLaughlin was released by Morton, he signed for SPFL Championship side Dumbarton. He was given the number 5 shirt.[6] He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 win against Alloa Athletic on his third appearance.On 16 May 2014 McLaughlin signed a new one-year deal with the Sons.[7]

In January 2015 'Marko' was released by the club following a lack of game time.[8]

Clyde

edit

On 20 January 2015, McLaughlin signed for Clyde for a second time.[9] He was released at the end of the 2015–16 season and returned to the juniors with Beith. He retired in June 2018.[10]

Personal life

edit

McLaughlin grew up in Port Glasgow.[11]

Honours

edit
Arthurlie
Clyde
Hamilton Academical
Beith Juniors

References

edit
  1. ^ McLaughlin Trial Cancelled clydefc.co.uk. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  2. ^ Steele, Russell (8 May 2012). "Players axed at Morton". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Mark a proven leader says Moore". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Nacho Novo and Mark McLaughlin are released by Morton". BBC Sport. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Ex-Morton skipper's agony over exit statement". Greenock Telegraph. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  6. ^ Findlay, Alan (3 January 2014). "McLaughlin deal confirmed". Dumbarton F.C. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Dumbarton Football Club - ANOTHER PLAYER CHECKS IN".
  8. ^ "Dumbarton Football Club - MARKO RELEASED".
  9. ^ "McLaughlin Returns to Clyde". Clyde F.C. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  10. ^ @BeithJuniorsFC (26 June 2018). "@acciesfc Thought you would like to know that #Accies legend Mark McLaughlin has officially retired" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Tait, Chris (9 May 2012). "Defender signs for Ton". Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  12. ^ "Doomsday Defeat for Arthurlie". Paisley Daily Express. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2021 – via PressReader.
    "Scottish Junior Cup Finals 1990-1999". SJFA. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  13. ^ "McLaughlin Returns to Clyde". Clyde FC. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Big Mark feared his SPL chance had gone". Evening Times. 22 April 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
    "Mark to build house of pain for old friend Alex". Evening Times. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Champions say farewell top players at Beith Juniors". Ardrossan Herald. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
    "2017–18 Matches for Mark McLaughlin". BJFC. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  16. ^ "ETCC Final: Beith 4 v 1 Petershill, 2018". BJFC. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
edit