Remember when football was a man’s game well Mark Stallard, to give him his full regalia Marcus Fearless Stallardicus, was a striker in the gladiatorial mould. Yes he was a Notts County legend but he inspired a great crusade to inspire the Imp hoards to rise up and cast forth the shackles of the lower leagues... to dare to dream as we enjoyed a carpet picnic of princely passing football so sublime even Thommo purred....... and to maybe even fight again in the splendid arenas of the ex Championship sides now residing in League 1. Well nearly but any way open yer notebooks sharpen yer pencils 'coz' here come some stats and facts that are stranger than fiction.
Note we have told Vic to take it easy here as both Mark Stallard and Adie Moses run a financial advisory business to footballers.
The warrior was born in Derby on 24th October in the year of our lord 1974, chiselled from the beeter parts of an old Rolls Royce engine. He was immediately branded with a number 9 and taught combat sports. His career began at his hometown club Derby (26 Aps 6 goals), with Marcus Fearless Stallardicus schooled in the scoring arts and entering the professional arena in 1991. After 19 league starts for the club, he was forced to endure arduous loan campaigns at lilywhite Fulham (4 Aps, 3 goals) and non Christian zone Bradford (38 Aps 10 sub 13 goals), before making his spell there permanent in January 1996, signing for £110,000. Another loan spell at Preston was immediately followed by a £100,000 transfer to Wickombee. Here he got his only hat trick on the 21/10/97 in a 4-3 win over Walsall.
After his farm and lands were…. Sorry wrong plot… two years, 73 matches and 23 goals however fate intervened, when he joined Notts County and became a God. Here he spent the majority of his career. A steal at £10,000 for his services the Magpies really did live up to their reputation. Their new cult hero duly put it about a bit and during 193 all action appearances (+18 sub) scored 77 goals and making many more. After Five years the wilderness returned as Marcus joined Barnsley on a free transfer. His spell at Barnsley was not a successful time for Stallardicus, who saw more league action in his spells on loan (to Chesterfield and back at Notts County) than at Barnsley. Joining Shrewsbury (27 Aps 13 sub 7 goals) in July 2005 on a free transfer although popular with fans also didn’t work.
In July 2006 the two Johns came knocking with the Impvision. ‘Twas a deal, Twas a steal, Twas sale of the blooming century. Since then Marcus Stallardicus returned to his old self as our goal hanging highwayman stood and delivered. Perhaps the Cathedral inspired him to see the light. One things for sure the 18 yard box was his coliseum once more. Tearing adversaries limb from limb with an all action style not for the faint hearted and no part of man nor beast nor centre half sacred.
He and Jamie Forester struck up a 35 goal partnership that season with Jamie only edging him by one thanks to his incredible October and some unselfish stylish flicks He had a swagger to make up for his pace, think Delroy Facey with a bit more grace. Mark.Stallard’s 17 goals that glorious season of sexy football tells but part of the story. Some were sensational 25 yard curlers; some brave headers or tap ins where both parties put life and limb on the line. But he was humorous, a great mentor to the youngsters, he grew on Imp fans who realised his true inspirational, gladiatorial worth to the side.
A superb target man with a head like a battering ram combined with a first touch that could bring those in the afterlife back into a game, Stallardicus was strong and hard and not afraid to employ the darker forces on the blind side of a ref. Bad boys are popular with the ladies on and off the pitch of course and butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth when he is suited and booted. He’s a marmite man - if he’s on your team you love him if he’s against you you would want to do a Hartlepool.
The Old stager joined Corby Town in Conference North and decided to call time on his professional career in November 2009 before moving to the Cotswolds. He is currently enjoying a new career as a financial advisor and will go into the role on a full time basis after October, along with ex-team mate Adie Moses with whom he took caretaker charge of the Stags in 2008.
Mark Stallard
Date of birth 24 October 1974 (1974-10-24) (age 36)
Place of birth Derby, England
Height 6 ft 0 in
Weight 13st 9lb
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Corby Town
Youth career
Derby County
Senior career*
1991–1996 Derby County 27 (2)
1994 Fulham (loan) 4 (3)
1996 Bradford City (loan) 1 (0)
1996–1997 Bradford City 42 (10)
1997 Preston North End (loan) 4 (1)
1997–1999 Wycombe Wanderers 73 (23)
1999–2004 Notts County 185 (66)
2004–2005 Barnsley 15 (1)
2004–2005 Chesterfield (loan) 9 (2)
2005 Notts County (loan) 16 (3)
2005–2006 Shrewsbury Town 37 (6)
2006–2008 Lincoln City 66 (17)
2008–2009 Mansfield Town 27 (8)
2009- Corby Town 0 (0)
Teams managed
2008 Mansfield Town (caretaker)