Mark Westhead arrived at Broadhall Way in summer 2002; Boro’ releasing both goalkeepers that had been on our books for the previous season. In three years with us, however, he only accumulated half a century of outings; injury and competition from Dean Greygoose and Lionel Perez getting in the way. But he was solid enough between the sticks for us; no mean feat given our struggles in the first half of the 2002-3 campaign.
Westhead had a brief spell at Hornchurch during the 2004-5 season after leaving us. But the Essex club ran into financial problems. And that gave him the chance to return to us. But his second time at Broadhall Way didn’t last that long either. At the end of the 2004-5 season, Westhead once again moved on; rocking up at Hyde United. Later clubs would include Droylsden and Warrington Town, as well as a move into coaching with Blackpool.
Mark Westhead: Before Boro’
Westhead’s career started as a fresh-faced 17-year-old at Bolton Wanderers; spotted as one for the future while playing for Blackpool Mechanics. Bolton’s rise up the pyramid to the Premier League, however, meant chances of first team action were nearly completely absent. It’s no surprise, then, that the Trotters released him in 1997. And so the ‘keeper ended up in Ireland with Sligo Rovers in a bid to kickstart his career.
Back on English soil, Westhead turned out for Telford United and Kidderminster Harriers. Good performances for the latter earned him a move back into the Football League when Wycombe Wanderers came calling. He stayed with the Adams Park team for three years, before moving back into non-league with Leigh RMI; the side from which he’d come to us.
Image: Keith Mayhew (if incorrect, please contact us and we’ll happily credit you)
