Boyd Signs Up For The Sandgrounders

Mark Boyd

Boyd, who began his career as a trainee at Brunton Park, was snapped up by Newcastle United when he was only 17. He then signed for Port Vale in the summer of 2002 and played 45 games for them, grabbing four goals. Blues boss Paul Simpson had been chasing an influential midfielder since taking charge of the Cumbrians in September 2003, and hoped that Boyd might be able to fill the void in United's squad in their desperate battle against relegation to the Conference.

The Carlisle-born playmaker eventually signing back on for his hometown club in mid-March of 2004 until the end of this campaign, Boyd having quit the Valiants due to family problems. He flattered to deceive a bit in his time back at Brunton Park though, and was released by Simpson at the end of the season having made nine appearances and scored one goal, with United having taken the dreaded drop down into non-league football.

Boyd then linked up with Gretna for a season but only made one start for the Borderers in his time at Raydale Park after breaking an ankle in a midweek reserve match in late September 2004. He was eventually loaned out to Macclesfield Town when he recovered from the injury and made four starts for the Silkmen before returning to Gretna. Boyd stayed with the Scottish outfit until mid-February 2005 when he was released by the club, subsequently linking up with Conference side Accrington Stanley, initially on trial and then on a contract until the end of the 2005-06 season.

The now 24-year old made four starts and two substitute appearances for Stanley in their Conference title-winning campaign. His efforts weren't enough for Reds boss John Coleman to offer him a Football League contract straight away though, with Boyd reportedly needing to prove his fitness in pre-season training in order to win a new deal at the Fraser Eagle Stadium. That's where Southport come in after Stanley assistant boss Paul Cook took over the vacant managerial position at Haig Avenue following the resignation of previous Sandgrounders manager Liam Watson. Cook knowing Boyd from his Accrington days and realising that the midfielder had enough Conference quality and fitness, in his eyes, to warrant the offer of a playing contract, Boyd signing on the dotted line at the West Coast club this morning. Meanwhile Kevin Leadbetter, Dominic Morley, and Neil Robinson have left Southport to link back up again with new Burscough boss Liam Watson after declining the opportunity to go full time, Burscough's leading goalscorer last season in Tony Gray joining Southport in return as part of the deal.