Mark Klimek

It’s not unusual to sign a player more than once. But, with stopper Mark Klimek, we ended up signing him twice in one season. The talented keeper first arrived on loan from Langford at the start of the 1988-9 campaign; Boro’ looking to bounce back from relegation the previous year. Klimek was an ever-present at the time too, so was clearly in favour. But October 1988 saw him head back to his parent club. And he only stayed that long because he agreed with gaffer Brian Williams that he’d stick around until a replacement had been found.

Williams told The Comet at the time: “Mark hasn’t been happy with the pressure of playing senior non-league soccer and was happier playing at Langford. He has done well in his time at Stevenage and there was no way we were unhappy with his form, but we had to respect his wishes. He has been good enough to fulfil a promise to stay until we had a replacement and for that I’m very grateful.”

Boro’ ended up going through a number of goalkeepers during that season. And Klimek would be back between the posts for three more games during the second half of the campaign. In a similar scenario at the start of the 1989-90 season, the stopper was a constant feature between the sticks for us. But a 1-0 defeat at home to Collier Row in late September was the last we saw of him in action for Boro’. He also turned out for Knebworth during his footballing career.

Mark Klimek: After Boro’

In addition to football, Mark was also reportedly a notable local tennis and cricket player. In late 2015, however, the sad news was announced that he had passed away due to a suspected heart attack; “taken too young” at the premature age of 51-years-old.

Photo: The Comet