Mark Delaney was signed in March 1999 from Third Division promotion chasers Cardiff City as "one for the future" by John Gregory. He made his debut in the Premier League when he replaced Steve Stone against Nottingham Forest on 24. 4. 99 in a match that Villa won 2 – 0. He began the 1999 – 2000 season in the Villa first team, earning rave reviews and a call up to the Welsh International squad. 

Mark is renowned for his pace, aggression and defensive ability. A product of the Bobby Charlton Soccer School, he worked as a newspaper journalist while at Carmarthen Town and it is a mark of the man that he made the jump from the League of Wales to the Premiership in just 2 seasons and is now valued in excess of £8,000,000

Unfortunately the 2000 – 2001 season was an injury ravaged one for Mark but his return to action coincided with the unbeaten run that saw Villa surge up the table. After a strong start to this season Mark has unfortunately hit another injury spell but hopefully with the right treatment this will soon be resolved.

He has been rock solid in defence for the Welsh International team and his strong performances during the World Cup qualifiers resulted in him being voted Man Of The Match at the Wales v Armenia match on September 1^st.

• DS     Have you ever visited the DragonSoccer website?

          MD   No

• DS    Where has been your favourite away destination with Wales

          MD   Poland 

DS    Why? Can you expand on your answer at all?

MD    Because the Stadium was full of supporters. They were close to the Pitch. And the atmosphere was electric.

DS    What are your earliest footballing memories?

          MD    Kicking a football around with my dad and brother.

• DS    Which was the first football team you ever played for?

          MD    Goodwick United A.F.C.

• DS    Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?

          MD   My dad. He was the person who told me I was good enough and told me Never give up trying.

• DS    Which player has most influenced you and why?

MD    Gareth Southgate. He is a born winner and leader. He was a brilliant person on the pitch to talk to.

• DS   What has been the highest point of your career so far?

MD Playing at Wembley in the F.A. Cup Final v Chelsea

        

• DS   What would you consider has been your lowest point/worst moment?

      MD  Being sent off against Bolton at Wembley in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

• DS   Name a Welsh player from any era who you would have loved to play in the same team as.

• DS   What ambitions do you still want to achieve?

• DS   Do you see yourself in a managerial or coaching role in the future?

          MD   Not sure

          DS   If there was one player in the World who you could miraculously make Welsh and draft into the Welsh squad who would it be?

        MD    Zinedine Zidane

• DS   How do you see the future of Welsh football developing given that we have no Premier club -at the moment- which forces our players to live and put down roots in England?

• DS   Do you think there is a danger to the future of Welsh International football given the 3 year residency rule and the attraction and glamour of the England team which seems to attract a number of young Welsh players?

MD Welsh International football has a bright outlook. Mark Hughes in charge has done a fantastic job. Some exciting youngsters are coming through the ranks. His will increase the attraction of Welsh football.

                       

• DS   What do you think has been Mark Hughes' greatest contribution to the upturn in Welsh International football?

DS   Do you think there will come a point when the role of Wales Manager will necessitate full time commitment?

           DS   What do you think can be done to attract a proportion of Commonwealth Players with a British Passport?

          MD Don’t know

          DS   Do you have an opinion on the role of the League of Wales?

MD Yes. That’s where I learnt my trade 5 years ago. In those 5 years you can now qualify for Champions League and UEFA Cup. It attracts big names in football. Grounds are being revamped and the standard of football and players is very good. Scouts, if they’d listen, would find some good quality players.