Mark Nicholas Davies (born 18 February 1988) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Club career
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Born in Willenhall, West Midlands, 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
On 27 November 2008, Davies joined League One side Leicester City on a one-month loan deal in order to gain full match fitness after almost two years on the sidelines. He made his debut for Leicester as a substitute against Southend United on 6 December 2008, winning the game 3–0 at the Walkers Stadium. He made his first start for Leicester against Peterborough United on 20 December 2008, thrashing them 4–0 at the Walkers Stadium. He scored his only goal for the club against Leyton Orient on 10 January 2009, as Leicester won 3–0 at the Walkers Stadium. Davies impressed during his short loan spell, causing Leicester to extend it to 1 February 2009.
Bolton Wanderers
On 26 January 2009, Davies joined Premier League side Bolton Wanderers on a four-and-a-half-year contract, for an undisclosed fee. He extended his contract by another year on 15 February 2011. He made his debut two days after signing when he came on as a substitute in the 2–2 draw with local rivals Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. He made his first start for his new club three days later against Tottenham Hotspur on 31 January 2009, winning the game 3–2 at the Reebok Stadium. He scored his first goal for Bolton at the start of the 2009–10 season, in the League Cup against Tranmere Rovers on 25 August 2009, winning the game 1–0. He scored his second goal for the club in the FA Cup against Lincoln City on 2 January 2010, winning the game 4–0 at the Reebok Stadium. Davies scored his first league goal for Bolton against Blackpool on 27 November 2010, earning his side a 2–2 draw at the Reebok Stadium. This goal was voted the club's goal of the 2010–11 season at the official Player of the Year dinner, beating Johan Elmander's individual effort against Wolverhampton Wanderers.