Mark Patterson is the perfect role model for every professional footballer
News today from Priestfield is that Mark Patterson, the highly respected Gills Youth Team Manager has decided to leave his post to join Ashford Academy’s PACE scheme that helps young players who have been released from other club’s youth set-ups.
Mark will be using his coaching and man management skills in helping these young players to get a second chance in the professional game.
Friday, 19 March 2010
As Gills Under-18's Manager, Mark has nurtured and encouraged young Gills players such as Luis Cumbers, Andy Pugh, Jack Payne, Luke Rooney and Tom Wynter.
All have been involved in some measure or other with the first team progressing through under Mark’s guidance. This is a fine legacy that Mark leaves.
Mark made 124 appearances for the Gills between 1997 and 2002 that saw the club achieve promotion to the Championship for the first time in its history.
Unfortunately in 2003 an injury brought a premature end to his playing career but he returned to the Gills in 2006, after a spell as assistant manager of Ryman Premier Folkestone, to the Youth Team role.
Mark began his career as a trainee with Carlisle and turned professional in 1986, but after just 22 games was signed by Derby for £60,000. In July 1993 he moved to Plymouth who paid £85,000 for his services.
He played over 130 league matches for Plymouth Argyle before joining the Gills for £45,000 in October 1997.
When Mark was forced to retire in 2003 the well-known and respected Kent football journalist, Tony Hudd, wrote a piece for the Gills Supporters Club and, relevant then as it is for today’s news, part of Tony’s tribute is reproduced below:
Think about Mark Patterson and you get a series of strong images. The clenched fist, the bared teeth.
A mask of resistance, often rage and unstinting effort. “I’m not blessed with any outstanding skills but you can guarantee I always try and give my best,” was his honest self-appraisal not long after joining Gillingham from Plymouth.
A major criticism of today’s players is that they are not self-critical. Patterson was always clever enough to see the areas of his game that needed improvement, and he worked on them.
Former Gillingham manager Tony Pulis, who brought Patterson to Priestfield once said of him “You begrudge him nothing because he has worked as hard throughout his career.”
“For me he is the perfect role model for every professional footballer because he is such an honest bust-a-gut defender”. Pulis, who wanted leaders all over the pitch, knew precisely what he was getting for his money when he signed Patterson. In short a willing worker with a winning way.
He was a natural leader who led in the right way. If the team were in trouble, if there was a battle to be won, Patterson would be at the front. He would be the one to win tackles and get hold of the ball. He would carry injuries without complaint but with solid determination.
And on the subject of injuries who could forget that it was Patterson, who on October 2 1999 sustained a fracture of his right leg in order to make a goal-line clearance against arch rivals Millwall at Priestfield.
It was his second leg break and just like the first, this Geordie warrior fought his way back to play again. So it was with the greatest of reluctance that he called time on his professional career in December after injuries finally got the better of him. Professional advice was sought and subsequently adhered to.
While Patterson could continue playing at a semi-pro level, he had to bid farewell to his days in the full-time game and in doing so bow out at Gillingham. Yet there was no crying over spilt milk. No wails of self-pity.
“What’s the point?“ he said. “I’ve had a great time but now I’m entering a new phase in my life. As they say, one door closes and another opens. I’ve been offered a challenge and nobody loves a challenge more than me.”
“I won’t ever forget how kind the Gills supporters were towards me and my family. I have some great memories of the Club and nothing can take those away.
What I don’t want is anyone feeling sorry for me because I’ll survive.” Whether it is in coaching, even management, where he has the ability to create an impact, Patterson will survive. Of that you can be sure.
Oh, and thanks a million Mark.