Mark Vooght first turned out for Stevenage Borough in the immediate years after forming in 1976. He explains: “We were due to play Hitchin in a friendly [at Broadhall Way], but pitch was dug up. We had a training session instead and I still have the pictures from The Comet! We went on to play at King George’s under Derek Montgomery and Paul Peterson – the player managers.”
After leaving Boro’ for the first time, Vooght joined Pirton for a year and then moved on to Letchworth Garden City; a club at which he spent five years. Frank Cornwall brought him back to us for a second spell, before he left for Royston Town. A couple more years away from Boro’ were ended when he followed manager John Bailey back.
Vooght took on the captaincy amid a tough campaign for the Broadhall Way outfit, with relegation from Vauxhall Opel League Division 1 in 1987-8 being one of the low points in Boro’ history; relegation that season proving to be the sole time (as of 2013) that any Stevenage (Borough) side didn’t manage to survive the drop. It was also to be Vooght’s last season as a player.
Initially starting out in midfield, Vooght established himself at the back and made a number of appearances during his three spells with the club. He also chipped in with goals along the way!
