BK: Major influences as a kid

MH: My Dad and Uncle Ted (Ted just happened to walk through the door sensing there was something going on). My Mum and Dad were reds but I was always a Blue. My Uncle Ted used to take me to the match. When I was young we used to play footy on a local pitch in Kirkby called the KTA, all the locals used to have a kick about there.

BK: How long have you been with Everton?

MH: Eleven years now, I started at the club when I was seven years of age. I played for St Kevin’s school but I was noticed by a scout called Frank Townson when I was playing for Kenbury under 9’s. I was seven at the time. Frank watched me a few times and one game he kept following my Dad round the pitch to ask about me. Me ‘al fella’ kept walking away from him, as he thought he was from the Social.

Mark next to the Coach on the back row

BK: 1st Team Ambitions

MH: I have trained with the first team about six or seven times during the season. It would be great to get in the first team squad next season. I hope to get my chance and if I do I will do my best to take it. Stubbsey is great with me, being a Kirkby lad himself and the captain it would be great if I could follow in his footsteps.

BK: Best Day in an Everton shirt

MH: When we played Man Utd at Southport about four or five weeks ago. Andy Holden made me captain. I was going to take over from Antony Gerrard who had gone out on loan to Walsall. They had some great players playing for them. Phil Neville was their captain and I was marking Alan Smith. They also had the Brazilian World Cup winner Kleberson playing for them. Even though we got beat 1-0 it was great to be playing against International players. Being skipper on that for that game was the best moment so far in my Everton career.

BK: What is the atmosphere around the place at the moment

MH: The atmosphere is fantastic. We were all made up when Vaughany scored for the first team the other week. I was in the stand with James’s Dad. He was crying when he scored. Fantastic stuff. It was great for the Vaughan family, they are lovely people.

BK: Hero’s

MH: Because I have always played centre half, I loved Dave Watson and Richard Gough. They were great defenders. The best defender in the country at the moment is John Terry. He is some player.

BK: Hardest opponent

MH (with some help from Uncle Ted, who gave Dion some serious stick for elbowing Mark): I made my debut for the rezzies when I was 16. We played Aston Villa and I was marking Dion Dublin. He smashed into me in the first 2 minutes. It is something I’ve always remembered.

BK: Best player played with

MH: Leon Osman was brilliant last season. This season to have Richard Wright in goal is great. He’s always talking to you all the way through the game and even after the game he is always helping you by pointing out things that went on during the game. He has been a big help for me.

Mark With His Uncle Ted

Mark With His Dad Tommy

BK: Other than yourself are there any others to come through

MH: Laurence Wilson has done really well since moving from midfield to left back and Patrick Boyle is doing well. So hopefully them and a few of the others can go on to make it. But it was great to see Vaughany get in the first team to show what he can do.

Mark would like to send his best wishes to Dale and Barbara Mathews in Australia.

Blue Kipper would like to thank Mark for a very enjoyable hour or so with him and his crazy family. We hope that one day Mark will fulfil his dream of playing for the Everton first team and wish him all the best for the future. Good Luck Mark! (26/04/05)