Mark Lovell (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Mark Lovell is an English
footballer. He briefly played professionally for Gillingham
. He is the son of former Welsh international
striker and current Ashford manager Steve Lovell
, and the grandson of former professional footballer Alan Lovell.
, one of his father's old clubs, as a trainee in 1999 and was soon a regular for the club's reserve team
, prompting Gillingham to sign him to a professional contract when he was still 17 years old. He made his debut for the Gills' first team in a match against Watford
in May 2001.
The following season Lovell found himself unable to gain a foothold in the first team squad and was loaned out to St. Leonards
. In March 2002 he had a trial spell with Leyton Orient
but was not taken on. Shortly after this his contract at Priestfield Stadium
expired and was not renewed.
Lovell next had a trial with Margate
but again was not taken on. He later had a spell with Hastings United
before joining Sittingbourne
.
In 2006 Lovell had a brief spell with Welling United
but then rejoined Sittingbourne
, where his father was now manager. In June 2007 he joined Dover Athletic
, now managed by his former Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler
, but in November 2007 left The Crabble to link up with his father, who had recently been appointed manager of Ashford Town
. Following the club's withdrawal from senior football in 2010, Lovell joined Ramsgate
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
footballer. He briefly played professionally for Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
. He is the son of former Welsh international
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
striker and current Ashford manager Steve Lovell
Steve Lovell (Welsh footballer)
Stephen "Steve" Lovell is a Welsh former professional footballer. He played professionally for Crystal Palace, Stockport County, Millwall, Swansea City, Gillingham and AFC Bournemouth and made over 450 Football League appearances....
, and the grandson of former professional footballer Alan Lovell.
Playing career
Lovell joined GillinghamGillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, one of his father's old clubs, as a trainee in 1999 and was soon a regular for the club's reserve team
Reserve team
Large professional sports clubs often have far more players under contract than could possibly play in a match. As a result, many of these clubs create second teams composed of players who need playing time, but have little hope of playing on the first team. The players on this second team are...
, prompting Gillingham to sign him to a professional contract when he was still 17 years old. He made his debut for the Gills' first team in a match against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in May 2001.
The following season Lovell found himself unable to gain a foothold in the first team squad and was loaned out to St. Leonards
St. Leonards F.C.
St. Leonards F.C. were a semi-professional English football club based in Hastings, East Sussex.-History:The club was founded as a works team in 1971 by employees from the Sussex Turnery And Moulding Company started playing friendlies, under the company name of STAMCO...
. In March 2002 he had a trial spell with Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
but was not taken on. Shortly after this his contract at Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium
Priestfield Stadium is a football stadium in Gillingham, Kent...
expired and was not renewed.
Lovell next had a trial with Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
but again was not taken on. He later had a spell with Hastings United
Hastings United F.C.
Hastings United is a semi-professional English football club who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and are affiliated to the Sussex County Football Association and the Hastings Football Association....
before joining Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne F.C.
Sittingbourne F.C. are a football club based in Sittingbourne, Kent, England. They were established in 1886 and were founder members of the Kent League. They have reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup at least twice in their history...
.
In 2006 Lovell had a brief spell with Welling United
Welling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
but then rejoined Sittingbourne
Sittingbourne F.C.
Sittingbourne F.C. are a football club based in Sittingbourne, Kent, England. They were established in 1886 and were founder members of the Kent League. They have reached the 2nd round of the FA Cup at least twice in their history...
, where his father was now manager. In June 2007 he joined Dover Athletic
Dover Athletic F.C.
Dover Athletic Football Club is an association football team based in the town of Dover, Kent, England. The club was formed in 1983 after the dissolution of the town's previous club, Dover, whose place in the Southern League was taken by the new club...
, now managed by his former Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler
Andy Hessenthaler
Andrew "Andy" Hessenthaler is an English football manager and former player, currently in his second spell as manager of Gillingham. Hessenthaler began his career in non-league football and did not turn professional until he joined Watford at the age of 26...
, but in November 2007 left The Crabble to link up with his father, who had recently been appointed manager of Ashford Town
Ashford Town F.C. (Kent)
Ashford United F.C. are an English football club based in Ashford, Kent. The 'new' United was formed in 2011 . Between 1930 and 2010 the town was represented by Ashford Town FC, before it ultimately went into administration...
. Following the club's withdrawal from senior football in 2010, Lovell joined Ramsgate
Ramsgate F.C.
Ramsgate Football Club are a football team based in Ramsgate, Kent. Having played for many years in the Kent League, they have been promoted for two consecutive seasons and spent the 2006-07 to 2008-09 seasons in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
.