John Wark

The legendary John Wark is a former professional footballer, who most famously played for Ipswich Town during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. He has won a record four Player of the Year awards, and was one of the four inaugural members of the club’s Hall of Fame. He also turned out for Liverpool, and Middlesborough, as well as for his native Scotland on the international stage, which included scoring two goals at the 1982 World Cup. He famously appeared in the Michael Caine and Sly Stallone World War Two PoW film Escape to Victory in 1981, and since retiring from the game in 1996, has continued to work for Ipswich Town in corporate hospitality. His autobiography, Wark On, was published in 2009.

Born and raised in Glasgow, Wark started playing football from the age of six. He was selected for the Glasgow Schools representative team and also played for Drumchapel Amateurs at under-14 level. It was there that he attracted the attention of Celtic, and was offered schoolboys forms. However, as a staunch Rangers fan he stalled, and with interest also coming from English football clubs, eventually signed with Ipswich Town’s youth team.

Wark signed up as a professional for Ipswich on his 17th birthday, and made his senior debut in March 1975. Over the next decade he helped the club win the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. In 1984 he signed with Liverpool and went on to help them secure two First Division titles, and an FA Charity Shield. He returned to Ipswich Town in 1988, and then signed with Middlesborough for a season in 1990. His third spell at Ipswich Town began in 1991 and he helped them win the Second Division title in 1991-92 and secure promotion to the newly formed Premier League. He remained with the club until he retired from playing in 1996 at the age of 39.