Mark Hateley in the Sky Blue

It was only in May 2021 that we were able to announce that former Sky Blue striker from the 1980s, Mark Hateley had just become the Association's latest recruit. Now there is another red letter day to mark as the tall and lanky former No.9, born in Derby on 7th November 1961 Mark is celebrating his 62nd birthday today. Congratulations!

Tony & Mark Hateley both Sky Blues & CCFPA members

Mark became only the second example of a number of CCFC fathers and sons to have both joined this Association! Other notable Coventry City generational pairings of this type that spring to mind are Ted Roberts (1930s) & Dudley Roberts* (1960s), David Phillips* (1980s) & Aaron Phillips (2010s) and Gordon Strachan (1990s)* & Gavin Strachan (2000s)* Those asterisked (*) are now Association members. Mark joined his Dad Tony Hateley as an CCFPA member though, sadly, Tony who played for City during 1968-69 (and joined us in 2012) passed away in February 2014 aged 72.

Mark Hateley in action

Mark himself built up a career profile of over 600 games and well over 200 goals - a very creditable total on both counts! A physical striker, very much the target man, Mark's appearances tally might have been more but for fairly frequent periods of injury.

Mark celebrates another Sky Blue goal

A striker (like the 'Roberts' father and son) he was groomed by both City 'gaffers' Gordon Milne and Dave Sexton to follow in his Sky Blue father's footsteps through the club's well oiled youth set up. He became a feared Division One marksman, like his dad particularly good with his head, and eventually achieved a Sky Blue hit rate of scoring on average in just over 30% of his games (all at the top level). For the record, Mark made his first team debut at centre-forward in the Sky Blues 3-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers right at the end of the 1978-79 season (5th May 1979). He was sent over to the States for summer 1980 to gain experience with Detroit Express having only appeared five times in 1979-80. He started to make his Sky Blue mark in 1980-81 appearing 28 times in all competitions and scoring his first senior goals for CCFC (five in total).

Mark in the Sky Blue

By the time he left Highfield Road, under freedom of contract legislation, he had notched 34 Sky Blue goals in 112 appearances for Coventry City. Second Division Portsmouth paid PS190k for him in June 1983 and at Fratton Park he scored an impressive 25 goals in 44 Pompey outings in 1983-84. Then came a big money move to Italy as A.C.Milan paid a cool PS915k for him. He was so successful over three seasons with them that A.S.Monaco forked out PS2m for him in June 1987. Scottish club Rangers tempted him back to the UK in summer 1990 paying PS500k for the privilege and during the next five seasons he became a hero at Ibrox being part of a team that won three Scottish Championships and a brace of both Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup Final victories!

Mark Hateley in England shirt

Having made 214 appearances for the top Scottish club netting 111 times, a fantastic strike rate, in November 1995 Queens Park Rangers paid PS1.5m to bring him down to England but, after a less prolific time over two seasons with the London club (six goals in forty appearances) and six scoreless games on loan at Leeds United, Mark returned to Ibrox in March 1997 for PS300k until the end of the 1996-97 season. Only one goal from four first team outings ensued in Scotland and so, in July 1997 Mark moved back down south of the border to assist Hull City on a free in July 1997. Mark managed the team from summer 1997 until November 1998. Three goals in 29 outings for the Tigers saw him leave Humberside in November 1998 and it was not until a couple of September weeks in 1999 that Mark found his swan-song playing a couple of games to finish his professional career with Ross County in the Scottish second division.

Mark Hateley's 'Hitting The Mark'

Already an England U21 International under manager Dave Sexton he won five of his ten U21 caps whilst at Coventry and later went on to appear for his country at senior level 32 times scoring nine times. He was a member of both the England 1986 FIFA World Cup and 1988 UEFA Euro squads.

Mark Hateley wearing his CCFPA tie at the CBS Arena 2021

CCFPA Chairman Jim Brown has kept in touch with Mark (and his ghost writer Alistair Aird) as the former England international brought out his autobiography two years ago entitled 'Hitting the Mark -My Story'!

Our tall former striker did his first ever stint as our 'special guest' at the Sky Blues last home game of the 2021-22 season against Huddersfield Town. At that game (which the Sky Blues sadly lost by the odd goal in three) we presented Mark with his official CCFPA badge and tie and he autographed many copies of his then new book (right) for Sky Blues fans.

We hope you have a great birthday today Mark. Come back and see us soon!

Thanks to CCFPA's Mike Young for sourcing the images. Share Post