Careers After Football: Mark Innes

Mark Innes was a journeyman player in the lower divisions during a career which spanned eight years from 1997 through to 2005. The Scotland-born player started off his career at Oldham where he spent almost five years before moving to Chesterfield.

The midfielder had four seasons at Chesterfield before moving to Port Vale for one season, before injury curtailed his career whilst he was playing for St Mirren back in his Scottish homeland.

Like many players, Mark came to the crossroads in his career and wasn’t sure what to do. With no contract and a family to support he had to make choices...and quickly. In the end, the 30-year-old turned to the PFA Education for help and support and with their help went on a course to build up a career in another area – tiling.

With the help and support of the PFA he now combines his new career as a tiler with playing part time football in the non league with Hyde United. Givemefootball’s Lawrie Madden caught up with him.

Q. How did the career transition come about?

A. I went up to Scotland to play for St Mirren but ruptured my Achilles tendon. I was out for a year. All of a sudden I had to think about doing something after football. I didn’t know at that time if I would come back after the injury. A few people mentioned tiling and I thought I would give it a go. I hadn’t grown up wanting to be a tiler but thought it was a decent option.

Q. Once you decided on the career move, how did you go about it?

A. I looked on loads of websites. There was a variety of sites on the subject and I was looking for the best ones. Once I found out the course that I wanted to go on that is when I contacted the PFA.

Q. How did PFA Education help with your new career development?

A. I told them that I wanted to do the course and asked if they could help out with the costs. They said if I passed the course they would pay 50 per cent of the fees. It took me four weeks, full time, to pass the course which I did and the PFA were as good as their word. They really were a big help. At that time I was out of football and to save up the amount I needed would have taken months and months. I passed it last September and have been tiling ever since.

Q. How is the business going – given the current financial climate?

A. Taking everything into account, it’s been pretty good. I am a competent tiler and I tile to a good standard. I don’t do it as quick as some other tillers with more experience, so my aim is to pick up the pace now because the quicker you can do the job the more money you can earn. I started with family and friends but with a few adverts in local papers and word of mouth it has taken off.

Q. Some players take advantage of the PFA and others don’t. What would you say to other players and former players considering a career change?

A.  They are silly and crazy if they don’t pick up the phone and ask for their help. Not everyone earns mega bucks so you need further education to help you in your career. I will always be grateful to the PFA for helping me down a new career path.