Mark Snijders

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Mark Snijders
Personal information
Full name Mark Werner Snijders [1]
Date of birth (1972-03-12) 12 March 1972 (age 52)
Place of birth Alkmaar, Netherlands
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) [2]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
1977–1985 Alkmaarsche boys
1985–1987 AFC '34
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1989–1997 AZ Alkmaar 172 (4)
1997–2000 Port Vale 55 (2)
Total227(6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mark Werner Snijders (born 12 March 1972) is a Dutch former footballer. He spent eight years with AZ Alkmaar and then three years playing in the Football League with Port Vale.

Contents

Career

Snijders left his home town club AZ Alkmaar for English First Division club Port Vale following a successful trial in the summer of 1997, leaving behind a newly signed contract with AZ. [3] He was one of a number of John Rudge's Dutch signings. He made his Vale debut in a 2–1 win over Stockport County at Vale Park on 9 September 1997. He scored his first goal for the club eighteen days later, in a 2–0 home win over Queens Park Rangers. In all he made 25 appearances that season, picking up his second goal in a 3–2 win over Manchester City at Maine Road. His classy play and skilful reading of the game impressed the Vale faithful. [4]

In 1998–99 the club were battling against relegation, Snijders played five games in August, but fell out of the first-team and only made a total of twelve appearances. He had suffered with injuries and a loss of form. [4] The 1999–2000 season saw Vale suffer relegation and the departure of Rudge. Snijders was a semi-regular under both Rudge and his replacement Brian Horton, playing 22 games that season. He was sent off at the Alexandra Stadium, in a 2–1 defeat to near rivals Crewe Alexandra on 7 March. He was released by the club at the end of the season and joined his old amateur side AFC '34, back in the Netherlands. [4]

Career statistics

Source: [5] [6]

ClubSeasonDivisionLeagueNational CupOtherTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
AZ Alkmaar 1989–90 Eerste Divisie 50000050
1990–91 Eerste Divisie2100000210
1991–92 Eerste Divisie3001000310
1992–93 Eerste Divisie3402000360
1993–94 Eerste Divisie3212000341
1994–95 Eerste Divisie2214000261
1995–96 Eerste Divisie30300060
1996–97 Eredivisie 2523000282
Total1724150001874
Port Vale 1997–98 First Division 2422000262
1998–99 First Division1000020120
1999–2000 First Division2101000220
Total5523020602
Career total2276180202476

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The 1983–84 season was Port Vale's 72nd season of football in the English Football League, and first back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division. The club suffered a horrendous start, and John McGrath lost his job before Christmas; he was replaced by his assistant John Rudge. Rudge instigated an immense turnaround in results, but Vale still ended up relegated, six points shy of safety. Ireland international Eamonn O'Keefe was top-scorer and Player of the Year, and young Mark Bright showed his potential, though left at the end of the season.

The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's 74th season of football in the English Football League, and second-successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth-place finish. The club also reached the Second Round in both the FA Cup and League Cup, as well as the Northern Section Semi-finals of the Associate Members' Cup. Rudge signing Andy Jones excelled to become the club's top-scorer, whilst Robbie Earle had another impressive season. However, the promotion campaign was built on the strength of the Vale defence, and goalkeeper Jim Arnold was made Player of the Year.

The 1987–88 season was Port Vale's 76th season of football in the English Football League, and second-successive season in the Third Division. John Rudge's side started the season well, but then suffered following the sale of star striker Andy Jones. Just as Rudge seemed to be struggling, the Vale earned a memorable 2–1 victory over top-flight Tottenham Hotspur at Vale Park in the FA Cup Fourth Round. They exited the competition at the next stage at the hands of Watford, following a replay. Vale's league form also improved, as they finished in eleventh place, helped by midfielders Ray Walker and Robbie Earle, defenders Phil Sproson and Bob Hazell, and goalkeeper Mark Grew. Darren Beckford and David Riley were joint-top-scorers with ten goals each. Vale exited the League Cup and the Associate Members' Cup at the first round.

The 1988–89 season was Port Vale's 77th season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in the Third Division. They achieved promotion to the Second Division with a 2–1 aggregate win over Bristol Rovers in the two-legged play-off final. This came after a long season in which Vale, who suffered an injury crisis in the second half of the season, were just pipped to the second automatic promotion spot by Sheffield United. The club also reached the third round of the FA Cup, Second Round of the League Cup, and the preliminary round of the Associate Members' Cup. John Rudge's main stars were top-scorer Darren Beckford, strike partner Ron Futcher, defender Simon Mills, midfielders Ray Walker and Robbie Earle, and Player of the Year Mark Grew. Returning star Andy Jones was disappointing in his loan spell, but Andy Porter and Dean Glover both made their débuts in what was Phil Sproson's last season at the club.

The 1991–92 season was Port Vale's 80th season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in the Second Division. For only the third time in their history they competed in a division above rivals Stoke City. However, it was not a happy campaign, John Rudge was forced to deal with star players Darren Beckford and Robbie Earle being sold for combined fees of £1.7 million. He spent just £375,000 to bring future-legend Martin Foyle to the club, whilst reliable goalkeeper Mark Grew was handed the club's Player of the Year award. Vale were relegated in bottom place, just five points short of safety. They exited the League Cup at the Third Round, despite a credible 2–2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Leaving the FA Cup at the Third Round, they were knocked out at the Second Round stage of the Full Members Cup.

The 1994–95 season was Port Vale's 83rd season of football in the English Football League, and first ever season in the First Division following their promotion from the Second Division. John Rudge led his team to safety in the league, whilst reaching the Second Round of the FA Cup and League Cup. In the FA Cup they recorded a 6–0 victory over Hartlepool United, before suffering a shock defeat at Scarborough. Back in the same league as rivals Stoke City, they earned the season's bragging rights with a 1–1 draw at Vale Park and a 1–0 win at the Victoria Ground. Martin Foyle was the Player of the Year, having bagged twenty goals in all competitions. Club legend Ian Taylor had been sold before a ball was kicked, but new legends were born with the signatures of Tony Naylor, Steve Guppy, and Ian Bogie.

The 1996–97 season was Port Vale's 85th season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in the First Division. John Rudge led the club to its joint-second highest ever league finish, as Vale finished in eighth spot, four points from the play-offs. Vale exited both the FA Cup and the League Cup at the Third Round.

The 1997–98 season was Port Vale's 86th season of football in the English Football League, and fourth-successive season in the First Division. John Rudge managed to mastermind a final day escape from relegation, as rivals Stoke City instead lost their second tier status, leaving Vale as the top club in the Potteries. In the FA Cup, Vale took Arsenal to a replay, before leaving at the Third Round stage having lost on penalties. In the League Cup Vale again exited at the First Round. Something of an end of an era for the club, Lee Mills and Jon McCarthy left the club on big money moves, whilst Dean Glover, Andy Porter, and Andy Hill also left the club. The club made its record signing however, in bringing Gareth Ainsworth in from Lincoln City for £500,000.

The 1998–99 season was Port Vale's 87th season of football in the English Football League, and fifth-successive season in the First Division. It was the end of an era for the club, as manager of sixteen years John Rudge was sacked in January, and was replaced by Brian Horton. As a testament to the upheaval at the club, a club record 43 players turned out for the Vale in the league over the course of the season. The Vale just avoided relegation on goals scored, despite suffering a final day defeat to Bury, who were relegated having scored ten fewer goals. Liverpool knocked them out of the FA Cup at the Third Round, and Vale were also knocked out of the League Cup by fourth tier Chester City in the First Round. The sacking of Rudge spoiled what was supposed to be a happy season for Vale fans, as Vale competed in a division above rivals Stoke City for only the fourth time.

The 1999–2000 season was Port Vale's 88th season of football in the English Football League, and sixth-successive season in the First Division. Vale suffered relegation in 23rd-place, some thirteen points adrift of safety. They also exited the FA Cup at the Third Round, and were knocked out of the League Cup at the First Round by fourth tier Chester City for the second consecutive season. The club spent nothing on transfers, but sold young players for some £1.5 million – despite this the club was heading towards bankruptcy. The club continued to gain one generation of players at the expense of the successful '90s generation; Martin Foyle, Paul Musselwhite and Ian Bogie departing, with fresh talent such as Micky Cummins and Mark Goodlad arriving in their place.

References

  1. ↑ "Mark Snijders". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. ↑ "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 1999/00". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  3. ↑ "Snijders: Potteries Folk so Friendly". onevalefan.co.uk. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "Mark Snijders". dutchplayers.nl. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  5. ↑ Mark Snijders at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  6. ↑ Mark Snijders at Soccerbase OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
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