Mark is the most successful captain in Gloucestershire’s history; leading the County to seven limited over trophies in six seasons in the Golden One Day era around the millennium. In 2024 he made a welcome return to the Club as Head Coach.
Mark was born in Tottenham in 1968. After moving back to Barbados as a child and enjoying considerable success at Harrison College, he then followed his elder brother Stephen back to the UK where they both won places at Haringey Cricket College, a council funded enterprise in East London.
Gloucestershire invited big brother Stephen for a trial. Mark went along as support and when several trialists failed to show, Mark found himself playing and it was he who impressed the coaches. David Lawrence became Yogi Bear – a nickname he soon lost; Mark was Boo Boo – a name that has stuck!
He made his 1st Class debut in 1986 and in 1990, in only his eight 1st Class match, he became the youngest Gloucestershire player to score a double century, aged 22.
Appointed captain in 1997, he and coach John Bracewell set about building a side which would dominate one-day cricket for the next few years. Mark was an inspirational skipper and great tactician, not to mention his contribution with both bat and ball, including a wonderful century in the Super Cup Final at Lords against Yorkshire in 1999.
Mark retired having scored a remarkable 22,198 runs and taken 810 wickets for the club. He became first team coach before moving to Lords as MCC head coach.
Mark was capped 10 times for England in One Day Internationals and was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2000. He was appointed MBE in the 2004 New Years Honours List.
A true legend it has been wonderful to welcome him back to Gloucestershire in 2024 to lead the development of this exciting young side.
John Gordon – June 2024