A conversation about Mark's life which took him from living out his childhood dream of being a top level football player in England to being convicted and serving time for drug trafficking, then to the present day as he works for a water treatment company purifying water for dialysis machines in hospitals.

Mark's book Hammered https://www.waterstones.com/book/hammered/mark-ward/9781843582724

Highlights from West Ham days https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX8WnL374C0

Goodison debut against Arsenal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeP1HJyuKrM

Scoring in Merseyside derby victory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjrRudw8KC4

Episode index:

0.00-2.47 Intro

2.47-7.50 Premier Inn in Wrexham and his present-day job with a water treatment company working in hospitals around the UK and Ireland

7.50-9.09 Irish connection

9.09-10.13 Childhood in Huyton and first footballing lesson taught by an Alsatian

10.13-13.05 Did he realise he had a special talent as a child? More time with the ball than other kids.

13.05-17.38 Being let go by Everton. Not giving up. Signing for Northwich Victoria.

17.38-20.55 Running 14 miles to training, scoring a hat-trick and never looking back. Birth of daughter lights a fire underneath him.

20.55-27.25 Move to Oldham Athletic. Up into the Football League. Still the best player in the team. Great playing with quality players.

27.25-31.19 Move to West Ham. "John Lyall will be at your house in an hour." Whirlwind. Now in the top league in English football.

31.19-33.55 First time he felt possibly out of his depth. Elegant central defenders. Shit himself. But John Lyall put his faith in him.

33.55-37.57 A few questions about playing football in front of big crowds. What does it feel like? What is home advantage all about really? Are some players great in training but can't do it in front of thousands of people?

37.57-39.35 Upton Park - the crowd will either make you or break you. Mark breaks Kevin Moran's fingers.

39.35-40.18 Mark's goals a bit like Paul Scholes' goals.

40.18-42.19 The greatest season of his career with West Ham. Came third in the league. So close. Still hurts.

42.19-46.09 Nearly goes to Spain. "Don't go there, son. It's shit." Signs for Howard Kendall at Man City.

46.09-49.00 Having a pint in his ancestral home Cork when he gets word he'll be returning to his footballing home Everton. Shaking when he gets the news.

49.00-54.45 Playing for Everton. Goodison debut. In the tunnel. The Zcars music. Every hair on his body stood up. Greatest game of his career. After that, scoring in Merseyside derby victory.

54.45-56.00 His last game in football. A lonely night in Altrincham.

56.00-57.30 Mark's sister battling motor neurone disease. Generosity from footballing community for charity fundraiser.

57.30-59.36 How did he go from his football career to winding up in prison? Admits he was indisciplined with money during football career. Going into pub trade a big mistake. Drinking too much and involved with the wrong people.

59.36-1.00.45 Goes to Australia but having scored in the derby wasn't enough to get a visa.

1.00.45-1.03.32 Returns to Liverpool. Puts his name on a property which was being used for drug trafficking. Police were surveilling. Arrested. Couldn't tell police who he was involved with and tells us why.

1.03.32-1.05.30 Reflections on conviction and effect on family. Biggest regret of his life.

1.05.30-1.12.04 His time in Walton prison. A very dangerous and brutal place. Mark had the mentality to be able to handle it. Becomes the number one prisoner in The Bronx. "Ladbrokes" in his cell. Looking after vulnerable prisoners. Becoming fittest man in the prison. Having things to focus on. Comparison of football culture and prison culture. Intervening in a fight.

1.12.04-1.14.34 How could prison system be reformed? Help prisoners get on their feet when they leave in terms of money, accommodation, employment. Otherwise it's a trap and leads to re-offending.

1.14.34-1.16.18 How did being a well-known footballer affect his time in prison? People know what you're in for. Talks about the dangers to certain prisoners.

1.16.18-1.18.02 Goes to a more open prison, Rochdale. Different experience to Walton.

1.18.02-1.19.54 Visit from Howard Kendall and Duncan Ferguson in prison.

1.19.54-1.22.40 Flashback to playing career as he plays for the prison eleven.

1.22.40-1.26.23 Leaving prison, releasing the book he wrote inside.

1.26.23-1.28.33 Years since. Difficult to get a job but with friends help has done various different ones. Back to the present day. Working for Capital Water Treatment. When football comes back properly will have his ambassador gigs as well.

1.28.33-1.30.19 Who was the best player he ever shared a pitch with? Kenny Dalglish and Alan Devonshire. Memories of not being aware Liverpool were interested in him.

1.30.19-1.30.48 Final thoughts. Thanks and goodbye.

1.30.48-1.32.01 Outro

Guest: Mark Ward

Host and producer: Donal Gallery

Recorded using Cleanfeed and Zoom between North London and a Premier Inn in Wrexham plus another unknown location over two sessions, January/February 2021

Artwork by Anna Obert https://www.instagram.com/annaobertillustration/

Music by Donal Gallery

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PathsPodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PathsPodcast

Get in touch with stories of people who've had dramatic changes in their lives at [email protected]

Thanks for listening