Mark Davies (footballer)

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Mark Davies (footballer) bigraphy, stories - Footballer

Mark Davies (footballer) : biography

18 February 1988 –

Mark Nicholas Davies (born 18 February 1988) is an English footballer who plays for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship.

International career

Youth teams

Davies represented England U17’s in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in 2004. He scored two goals for his country, his first against Portugal U17’s in the group stages, and his second against Portugal in the Third-Place Play-Off, drawing the game 4–4, but losing on penalties. Davies captained the England U17’s team in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Qualifier against Northern Ireland U17’s at Molineux in March 2005. He also went on to represent the England U17’s in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship in May 2005, but they did not make it out of the group stages.

Davies was called up to the England U21’s squad to face Ecuador U21’s on 16 February 2010,http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~1545203,00.html but had to pull out due to the ankle injury he picked up against Arsenal. On 14 March 2011, Davies received his second call up to the England Under 21’s, but pulled out due to injury. He received a third call up, for the England Under-21 Championships provisional squad,http://www.england.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=242674 but once again pulled out due to the same injury from his second call up and was replaced by Liverpool’s Jay Spearing.http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/05/11/2481849/liverpool-midfielder-jay-spearing-called-up-to-england-under

Club career

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Born in Wolverhampton, Davies was a former student of Pool Hayes Community School in Willenhall. He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers Youth Academy at the age of nine. He signed his first professional contract at Wolves in February 2005, aged 17.

In the 2005–06 season, Davies broke into the Wolves first team under then manager Glenn Hoddle, making his league debut as a substitute against Leeds United on 20 August 2005, losing the game 2–0 at Elland Road. He made his first league start for Wolves against Watford on 20 September 2005, losing the game 2–1. Davies scored his first professional league goal against Luton Town on 13 January 2006, winning the game 2–1 at Molineux. He went on to frequently feature for Wolves throughout the season, and becoming a vital member of the team, making 20 appearances for Wolves in his first season. Former Wolves Academy manager Chris Evans said Davies was the best prospect to come out the youth system since players Robbie Keane and Joleon Lescott.

The start of the 2006–07 season was a blow to Davies as he suffered a cartilage problem in pre-season. However, he returned to fitness in January 2007, making 10 substitute appearances for Wolves, and also went on to feature for the England U-19’s.

In the 2007–08 season, Davies picked up a shoulder injury and other niggling injuries which kept him out for the whole season, limiting him to only a few reserve outings.

The 2008–09 season started brightly for Davies as he had a successful pre-season for Wolves. His first and final game for Wolves ended with him coming off the bench to assist and score the winning goal against Accrington Stanley in the League Cup, winning the game 3–2 at Molineux. This was Davies last appearance for Wolves as on 27 November 2008 he joined League One club Leicester City on a one month loan deal.

In late January 2009, Davies handed in a transfer request at Wolves. Wolves did offer him a new three-and-a-half year contract, but he declined the offer. Wolves went on to receive a bid from League One side Leicester City, for around £650,000, but this was declined by the club. Wolves then later received another bid from Premier League side Bolton Wanderers, believed to be in the region of £1m, rising to £2m, and accepted the offer, with Wolves adding a hefty sell on clause in part of the deal. Davies went on to sign for Bolton Wanderers on 26 January 2009, ending his ten-year stay with the club.

Loan spell at Leicester City