Mark Grew - Playing Career

Playing Career

Grew turned professional at First Division West Bromwich Albion in the 1976–77 season, having just starred in the 1976 FA Youth Cup final, which ended in a 5–0 aggregate victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. During the 1978–79 campaigned he was loaned out to Fourth Division newcomers Wigan Athletic, where he played four league games in the absence of John Brown. He returned to The Hawthorns, and played 33 league games for the "Baggies" as he faced competition from Tony Godden, before he joined Leicester City, also of the First Division, for a £25,000 fee. He played five top-flight games for the "Foxes" in 1983–84, and also played five Second Division games on loan at Oldham Athletic, before he moved to First Division club Ipswich Town on a £60,000 transfer in March 1984. He spent two seasons with the "Tractor Boys", but played just six league games. He also played four Second Division games on loan at Fulham in 1985, and returned to West Brom on loan in 1986 to play one game.

In June 1986, he joined Third Division Port Vale; aged 28 years old, he was looking for first team football. His debut for the club came in a 2–2 draw against Middlesbrough at Victoria Park, who were at the time close to folding. After he sustained an injury in the game, he suffered from damaged knee ligaments for much of the 1986–87 season. However Alex Williams retired from back injury in September 1987. As Grew took the #1 jersey he never looked back and played fifty games in 1987–88.

Grew was then voted the club's Player of the Year for his performances over his 49 games in 1988–89. He played both legs of Vale's play-off Final victory over Bristol Rovers, conceding just the one goal. He played 51 games in 1989–90, as Vale retained their Second Division status.

However he losing his place to Trevor Wood in August 1990, and had a successful loan spell with league rivals Blackburn Rovers in October 1990, playing thirteen league games. He won his first team spot back at Vale in February 1991, and played fourteen games for the "Valiants" in 1990–91. He became the club's Player of the Year once more in 1992 for his ever-presence in the 53 game 1991–92 season. However he left on a free transfer for Cardiff City in May 1992.

He was between the posts for Cardiff City when they beat Manchester City 1–0 in the FA Cup Fourth Round on 29 January 1994. He became an "instant hero" with the Cardiff supporters after saving a penalty from Keith Curle. He joined non-League side Hednesford Town in 1994 after leaving Cardiff and made one appearance during the 1994–95 season.