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Mark Randall (footballer)

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Mark Randall
Randall in January 2008
Personal information
Full name Mark Leonard Randall[1]
Date of birth (1989-09-28) 28 September 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth Milton Keynes, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Larne
Number 8
Youth career
0000–2001 Northampton Town
2001–2006 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2011 Arsenal 2 (0)
2008 → Burnley (loan) 10 (0)
2010 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 16 (0)
2010–2011 → Rotherham United (loan) 10 (1)
2011–2013 Chesterfield 45 (2)
2013–2014 Ascoli 3 (0)
2014–2016 Milton Keynes Dons 13 (0)
2016 Barnet 12 (2)
2016–2017 Newport County 25 (1)
2017–2019 Crawley Town 38 (1)
2019 Hemel Hempstead Town 6 (0)
2019– Larne 146 (19)
International career
2005–2006 England U17 12 (2)
2006–2008 England U18 9 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 June 2024

Mark Leonard Randall (born 28 September 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for NIFL Premiership club Larne.

Randall spent his formative footballing years at Arsenal where he was touted by manager Arsène Wenger as a key Arsenal player for the future.[2] He was released at the end of his contract in 2011 and subsequently joined Chesterfield, where he won the Football League Trophy.

Early life

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Born in Milton Keynes,[3] Randall grew up amongst a family of Tottenham Hotspur supporters, but says he is "100% a Gooner".[4]

Career

[edit]

Arsenal

[edit]

After playing youth football for Northampton Town, Randall joined Arsenal's academy in 2001.[5] Randall signed for Arsenal on schoolboy forms and played seven matches in the Premier Reserve League in 2005–06. Randall was also the only player in the team to play all 18 reserve team fixtures in the 2007–08 season. He played in Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial against Ajax Amsterdam in July 2006, and in the club's pre-season tour of Austria and the Netherlands. He made his first-team debut as a substitute for Denílson in Arsenal's League Cup third-round match against West Bromwich Albion on 24 October 2006.[6] He also played in Arsenal's fourth-round match against Everton on 8 November 2006,[6] again coming on for Denílson, and was on the bench for their quarter-final against Liverpool, but did not play in that match.[7]

On 8 February 2007, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal,[8] and in the summer of 2007 took part in Arsenal's annual first-team pre-season training camp in Austria.[8] However, he was out of the side for the first few months of the 2007–08 season after suffering an injury in Arsenal Reserves' opening Premier Reserve League match of the season, against Fulham in late August, but made his first start for Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers on 18 December 2007,[9] and also made his second appearance in the competition as a last-minute substitute in the first leg of the semi-finals against Tottenham Hotspur.[10]

Randall signed for Burnley on loan, on 31 January 2008,[11] the last day of the transfer window and made 10 league appearances for the Championship club.[12] He returned to Arsenal following the end of the Championship season on 4 May and went on to make his Premier League debut against Sunderland on 11 May in Arsenal's final match of the season.[10] He came on as an 81st-minute substitute and having a goal disallowed in the final moments of the match.[13]

After playing in much of Arsenal's pre-season campaign for 2008–09, Randall made his European debut in Arsenal's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match away to FC Twente on 13 August 2008, coming on as a substitute for Theo Walcott in the 84th minute.[14] He also played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's 6–0 League Cup third round victory over Sheffield United on 23 September, where he set up Arsenal's fifth goal, scored by Jack Wilshere and in the 3–0 win over Wigan Athletic, as well as starting in the defeat to Burnley at the quarter final stage.[14][15][16] He made UEFA Champions League debut on 10 December in the 2–0 defeat to F.C. Porto replacing Alexandre Song.[14]

At the start of the season, a loan was agreed, in principle, for Randall to move to Championship side Derby County on a season-long loan,[17] though the club declined to sign the player after he failed to impress on trial.[18] Randall was involved in Arsenal's win over West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup after replacing Francis Coquelin on 58 minutes and indirectly assisted Carlos Vela when his attempted lob from outside the box struck the bar.[19] On 15 January, Randall signed on loan for Milton Keynes Dons until the end of the season.[20] He scored his first goal for Milton Keynes Dons in the 3–1 Football League Trophy second leg semi final loss to Southampton.[21]

Randall was once again sent on loan for the 2010–11 season, this time to a League Two side in Rotherham United.[22] After playing just 21 minutes on his Rotherham debut against Southend United, Randall was sidelined with a broken collarbone.[23] This injury kept him out of the team until the New Year's Day clash against Port Vale in which Randall scored his only goal for the Millers.[24] At the end of his loan spell he returned to Arsenal where his contract was not renewed, signalling the end of his Arsenal career.

Chesterfield

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Randall completed a move to League One's Chesterfield on a one-year contract during the summer of 2011.[25] Upon signing he stated this it was a move in which he intended to use to rebuild his career and fulfil his potential after growing disillusioned with life at Arsenal and disheartening loan spells. Manager John Sheridan stated that Randall possesses great potential that he hopes will be fulfilled at the club.

He impressed when scoring his first goal and for Chesterfield in a 3–1 win over Notts County on 4 October 2011 in the Football League Trophy.[26] His time at Chesterfield was dogged by niggling injuries, including wrist and shoulder afflictions that interrupted his run in the team.[27] However, in the Football League Trophy Final on 25 March 2012, he came on as a substitute as Chesterfield defeated Swindon Town 2–0, setting up the second goal with an incisive pass.[28] He went on to appear in the subsequent games, impressing as Chesterfield's form drastically improved, although by that time relegation was already all-but-confirmed. He was offered a new one-year contract by the club in May 2012.[29] After failing to agree a new contract with Chesterfield, Randall left the club on 1 July 2013 after his contract expired.[30] Altogether Randall scored four goals and was capped a sum of 51 times with Chesterfield.[12]

Ascoli

[edit]

On 10 September 2013 it was announced that Randall had signed a two-year contract with Italian third-tier side Ascoli. He made his debut on 22 September 2013 versus L'Aquila.[31] On his first start for the club Randall assisted three goals and was the man of the match.

Milton Keynes Dons

[edit]

On 8 March 2014, Milton Keynes Dons announced that Randall had agreed to join the club until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.[32] On 14 March, Randall completed his move to the Dons after receiving international clearance.[33] At the end of the season he signed a further one-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months.[3] His contract was extended until the end of 2015–16, but he did not play at all for the Dons following their promotion to the Championship. In all he played 17 times across all competitions.[12]

Barnet

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On 14 January 2016, following a mutual decision to terminate his contract with Milton Keynes Dons, Randall joined League Two side Barnet on a contract until the end of the 2015–16 season.[34] He was released at the end of the season.[35]

Newport County

[edit]

On 31 May 2016, Mark Randall joined Newport County on a two-year deal.[36] He made his debut for Newport on 6 August 2016 versus Mansfield Town.[37] He scored his first goal for Newport, a 55th-minute penalty, in a 3–2 EFL Cup loss against Milton Keynes Dons on 9 August 2016.[37]

In January 2017, Randall asked to be transferred, stating family reasons. A move in the January transfer window did not happen and Randall was dropped from the match day squad by manager Graham Westley. In March 2017, Randall returned to the squad under new manager Mike Flynn and played a big part in County's successful bid to avoid relegation.[38] At the end of the 2016–17 season Randall was again placed on the transfer list at his request.[39] On 28 June 2017, Randall's contract at Newport was cancelled by mutual consent.[40]

Crawley Town

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On 30 June 2017, Randall joined fellow League Two side Crawley Town on a two-year deal.[41] His contract was terminated by mutual consent on 5 February 2019.[42]

Hemel Hempstead Town

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Randall joined National League South club Hemel Hempstead Town in March 2019.[43]

Larne

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On 1 June 2019, Randall joined newly promoted NIFL Premiership club Larne.[44]

Style of play

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Randall is a midfielder. He plays primarily as a central midfielder but can also play as advanced playmaking midfielder.[45][46] He is noted for his composure on the ball and his passing abilities.

Career statistics

[edit]
As of matches played 18 May 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal 2006–07[6] Premier League 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
2007–08[10] Premier League 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
2008–09[14] Premier League 1 0 0 0 3 0 2[a] 0 6 0
2009–10[21] Premier League 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
Total 2 0 0 0 9 0 2 0 13 0
Burnley (loan) 2007–08[10] Championship 10 0 0 0 0 0 — 10 0
Milton Keynes Dons (loan) 2009–10[21] League One 16 0 0 0 0 0 2[b] 1 18 1
Rotherham United (loan) 2010–11[24] League Two 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1
Chesterfield 2011–12[26] League One 16 1 0 0 0 0 2[b] 1 18 2
2012–13[47] League Two 29 1 2 1 0 0 2[b] 0 33 2
Total 45 2 2 1 0 0 4 1 51 4
Ascoli 2013–14[31] Lega Pro Prima Divisione 3 0 0 0 — — 3 0
Milton Keynes Dons 2013–14[48] League One 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2014–15[49] League One 9 0 2 0 1 0 1[b] 0 13 0
2015–16[50] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 13 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 17 0
Barnet 2015–16[50] League Two 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
Newport County 2016–17[37] League Two 25 1 0 0 1 0 1[c] 1 27 2
Crawley Town 2017–18[51] League Two 32 1 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 33 1
2018–19[52] League Two 6 0 0 0 1 0 3[c] 0 10 0
Total 38 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 43 1
Hemel Hempstead Town 2018–19[53] National League South 6 0 — — — 6 0
Larne 2019–20[54] NIFL Premiership 28 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 29 7
2020–21[54] NIFL Premiership 26 3 3 0 0 0 4[d] 0 33 3
Total 54 10 4 0 0 0 4 0 62 10
Career total 234 17 8 1 12 0 18 3 272 21
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearance(s)in County Antrim Shield

Honours

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Chesterfield

Milton Keynes Dons

Larne

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ^ Harris, Chris (27 October 2010). "Wenger – Randall still has a chance here". arsenal.com. Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  3. ^ a b "MK Dons: Mark Randall signs longer deal". BBC Sport. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  4. ^ Butler, Michael (7 January 2014). "Leaving Arsenal: whatever happened to the talented Mark Randall?". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  5. ^ Yaffe, Simon (14 April 2020). "Mark Randall: I spent 10 years at Arsenal but Wenger never said goodbye". PlanetFootball. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Games played by Mark Randall in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  7. ^ "Mark Randall Player Profile – ESPN FC". www.espnfc.com. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Randall signs professional terms with Arsenal". arsenal.com. Arsenal F.C. 8 February 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  9. ^ Hughes, Matt (20 December 2007). "Arsene Wenger's conveyor belt of talent shows no sign of slowing down". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d "Games played by Mark Randall in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  11. ^ "Burnley capture Arsenal teenager". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  12. ^ a b c "Mark Randall". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Walcott wins it for Gunners". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  14. ^ a b c d "Games played by Mark Randall in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Arsenal 3–0 Wigan". BBC Sport. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  16. ^ "Burnley 2–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 2 December 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2008.
  17. ^ "Randall loan agreed in principle with Gunners". Derby Telegraph. 22 July 2009. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Clough turns down Randall loan chance". Derby Telegraph. 28 July 2009. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Arsenal 2–0 W.B.A". arsenal.com. Arsenal F.C. 22 September 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  20. ^ "Mark Randall joins Milton Keynes Dons on loan". arsenal.com. Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 24 March 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
  21. ^ a b c "Games played by Mark Randall in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Rotherham United: Mark Randall interview". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  23. ^ "Millers waiting on Randall". The Telegraph. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  24. ^ a b "Games played by Mark Randall in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  25. ^ "Chesterfield sign Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall". BBC Sport. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Games played by Mark Randall in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  27. ^ "Chesterfield FC's Mark Randall could be out for Six Weeks". Peak FM. 5 December 2011. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  28. ^ Payne, Ned (25 March 2012). "JPT FINAL, FULL TIME: Swindon 0, Chesterfield 2". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Spireites issue retained list". Chesterfield Post. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  30. ^ "Randall exits club". chesterfield-fc.co.uk. Chesterfield F.C. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  31. ^ a b Mark Randall at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  32. ^ "Randall agrees Dons move". mkdons.com. Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  33. ^ "Randall completes Dons move - News - Milton Keynes Dons". mkdons.com. Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  34. ^ "Transfer Update: Two in and two out at The Hive!". barnetfc.com. Barnet F.C. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Barnet FC retained list announced!". barnetfc.com. Barnet F.C. 20 May 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  36. ^ "Mark Randall signs for the Exiles". newport-county.co.uk. Newport County F.C. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  37. ^ a b c "Games played by Mark Randall in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  38. ^ "Mark Randall: Ex-Newport boss Graham Westley treated me 'unfairly'". BBC Sport. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  39. ^ "Newport County: Strikers Craig Reid and Ryan Bird the latest to depart club". BBC Sport. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  40. ^ "Mark Randall: Newport County release midfielder by mutual consent". BBC Sport. 28 June 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  41. ^ "Mark Randall joins the Reds". crawleytownfc.com. Crawley Town F.C. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  42. ^ Carter, Graham (5 February 2019). "Former Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall leaves Crawley Town". Crawley Observer. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  43. ^ "Mark Randall - 1st XI - Hemel Hempstead Town". Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  44. ^ "Larne sign ex-Arsenal midfielder Mark Randall". Belfast Telegraph. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  45. ^ "burnleyfootballclub.com profile". Burnley F.C. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  46. ^ "Mark Randall". Milton Keynes Dons F.C. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2010.
  47. ^ "Games played by Mark Randall in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  48. ^ "Games played by Mark Randall in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  49. ^ "Games played by Mark Randall in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  50. ^ a b "Games played by Mark Randall in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  51. ^ "Games played by Mark Randall in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  52. ^ "Games played by Mark Randall in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  53. ^ "2018/19 season — Match Reports". Hemel Hempstead Town F.C. Retrieved 1 June 2019.[dead link‍]
  54. ^ a b "Games played by Mark Randall in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  55. ^ "Starting Lineups - Chesterfield vs Swindon". Sky Sports. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  56. ^ "2015: Dons clinch promotion in style". mkdons.com. Milton Keynes Dons F.C. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  57. ^ "Larne secure historic first Irish League title". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 April 2023.
  58. ^ "Larne lift title as Carrick secure Euro play-off". BBC.
  59. ^ "County Antrim Shield final: Larne defeat Glens in Seaview shootout". BBC Sport. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  60. ^ "Co Antrim Shield: Impressive Larne see off Linfield in gripping final to retain trophy". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  61. ^ "County Antrim Shield final: Larne complete hat-trick with shootout win after lengthy injury delay". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  62. ^ "County Antrim Shield: Larne beat Glentoran 2–1 to win silverware for fourth consecutive season". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  63. ^ "NIFL Charity Shield: Larne come from behind to win Charity Shield". 5 July 2024.
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