HAVING A LAUGH
Meet ‘no-nonsense’ hard man who was sent off TWELVE times – and got his big break thanks to legendary comedian
Dennis also revealed how he missed out on joining Terry Venables at Tottenham
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MARK DENNIS enjoyed a 12-year football career and won two England Under-21 caps along with two player-of-the-year awards at Birmingham and Southampton.
The no-nonsense left-back was part of the Saints side who finished runners-up in the top flight in 1983-84 — finishing just three points behind champions Liverpool.
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Now 62, London-born Dennis is still based on the South Coast after his move to Southampton in 1983 — and is loving life again.
He said: “I am retired but I still do a bit of freelance work whenever I can and I also thoroughly enjoy working on the after-dinner circuit.
“It’s an opportunity for me to share the stories from my career with some wonderful football supporters.
“It’s lovely to reflect and have a laugh with so many fans who still love the game as much today.”
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Yet his pathway into football may never have happened had it not been for a charity match on behalf of one of the great music-hall comedians, Tommy Trinder, at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in 1976.
Dennis said: “I was 15 years old and had just been rejected by Chelsea, who had a load of talented kids breaking through. I thought that was it.
“Then, out of the blue, I was asked if I’d play in this one-off charity game at Fulham for Tommy.
“I jumped at the chance. I ended up being man of the match.
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“Then a couple of days later I came home and my mum told me both Aston Villa and Birmingham had been on, wanting me to go up for trials.
“I had relatives in Birmingham who were ‘Blue noses’, so it was the perfect move for me to join City.
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“Within the first few weeks of being at the club, Sir Alf Ramsey came in as caretaker manager.
“He really took to me. For a start he liked left-sided players but I think he also enjoyed the fact I had a bit of attitude about me.
“He didn’t want the job full-time and Jim Smith replaced him, a man who I owe everything for the career I had in the game.
“I’ll never forget my debut against Norwich in 1978. I was part of the 13-man team going to Carrow Road but not for a second did I think I would play.
“Then just before the game one of our defenders, Jimmy Calderwood, slipped over in the shower and I had to be drafted in.
“I ended up being younger than Trevor Francis making my debut for Birmingham.
“Norwich winger Jimmy Neighbour — sadly no longer with us — took me apart in the first 45 minutes. I thought I had a better second half. But we lost and conceded four goals.
“I thought that perhaps the gaffer might have thought it was too soon for me and that would be it. But then I was back in the side two weeks later and stayed in the team for the rest of the season. Jim was just class.”
Sadly for Mark, Smith was sacked in 1982 and replaced by Ron Saunders. The two never got on.
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Saints exit and QPR frustration
Dennis said: “Ron wanted me to play a completely different game. I had no intention of changing. I was banished to the reserves. So that was it!
“Then Lawrie McMenemy got in touch from Southampton, another fantastic man and a huge influence in my career. We are still in touch regularly today.
“When I turned up in the dressing room and saw the likes of Peter Shilton, Mick Mills, it was an incredible squad. We finished runners-up in the top flight in 1983-84.”
He moved to Queens Park Rangers in 1987 to rejoin his old boss Smith.
Dennis said: “Jim then switched to Newcastle in 1988 and I moved to Crystal Palace. The frustration for me is Trevor Francis took over at Rangers from Jim but never told me that Terry [Venables] at Tottenham wanted me.”
A year after joining Palace Dennis quit football in 1990, first going to Spain.
When he came back, he worked for the Post Office and played cricket for them, a period in his life he looks back on fondly.
He added: “I have also loved my time working on local radio here in Southampton on Saints’ games.”
Meeting 'hero' George Best
Dennis highlights one of the greatest moments in his career at St Andrew’s — after a City game.
He said: “We played Fulham including a certain Mr George Best in their side. When the ref blew the final whistle I went over to George and shook his hand. I was in awe of the man.
“Along with George, my other sporting heroes are Shane Warne — I was fortunate enough to share his company at Hampshire many times — and Ian Botham.”
Dennis was sent off 12 times and admitted: “I have regrets that I should have achieved more in my football career.
“My problem was I didn’t have any boundaries and I know now I should have been more disciplined.
“I am hugely grateful for the life and career that football gave me. It was a wonderful adventure.”
Dennis wanted to place on record his huge thanks to the many players who have become lifelong friends like Paul Walsh, Andy Townsend, Alan Curbishley, Keith Bertschin, Mike Fillery and Frank Sheridan.
He said: “I have had lots of struggles and lows after quitting the game but I cannot begin to explain how these people have become my extended family and helped me.
“I got divorced but now I am back with my ex, Nicky. She has been my absolute rock.
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“Life is good. I neglected my family for several years, which I regret.
“But now I’m hopefully making up for lost time.”