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Mark Valentine Chamberlain (born 19 November 1961) is an English former international footballer. He is the younger brother of Neville Chamberlain, and the father of Arsenal and England international player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Born in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent to British Jamaican parents, Chamberlain started his career with local side Port Vale, making his debut under Dennis Butler as a substitute in a 2–2 home draw with Scunthorpe United on 19 August 1978, aged 16.[1] His full debut came on 14 April 1979 in a 3–2 win over Barnsley at Vale Park, and his first goal came two days later in a 3–2 defeat at Huddersfield Town.[1] He turned professional the following month, having made eight appearances in 1978–79.[1] Chamberlain then made eleven goalless appearances in 1979–80, whilst his brother was the club's top-scorer in what was Vale's worst season in the Fourth Division.[1] He became a first team regular from October 1980 under John McGrath and scored 10 goals in 36 games in the 1980–81 campaign.[1] He was an ever-present in the 55 game 1981–82 season, also being selected in the PFA Fourth Division team and chosen as The Star's best player of the division.[1] He scored eight goals during the campaign, most memorably when he stood off the pitch at Field Mill to avoid being caught offside, then returned to tackle a startled Rod Arnold and tap the ball into an empty net.[3]
"He could do it all: Run, pass, shoot, make goals and score them. Chambo was the perfect wide man who could play on either flank and delighted in making chances for his teammates."
—Robbie Earle writing in 2012.[4
Born in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent to British Jamaican parents, Chamberlain started his career with local side Port Vale, making his debut under Dennis Butler as a substitute in a 2–2 home draw with Scunthorpe United on 19 August 1978, aged 16.[1] His full debut came on 14 April 1979 in a 3–2 win over Barnsley at Vale Park, and his first goal came two days later in a 3–2 defeat at Huddersfield Town.[1] He turned professional the following month, having made eight appearances in 1978–79.[1] Chamberlain then made eleven goalless appearances in 1979–80, whilst his brother was the club's top-scorer in what was Vale's worst season in the Fourth Division.[1] He became a first team regular from October 1980 under John McGrath and scored 10 goals in 36 games in the 1980–81 campaign.[1] He was an ever-present in the 55 game 1981–82 season, also being selected in the PFA Fourth Division team and chosen as The Star's best player of the division.[1] He scored eight goals during the campaign, most memorably when he stood off the pitch at Field Mill to avoid being caught offside, then returned to tackle a startled Rod Arnold and tap the ball into an empty net.[3]
"He could do it all: Run, pass, shoot, make goals and score them. Chambo was the perfect wide man who could play on either flank and delighted in making chances for his teammates."
—Robbie Earle writing in 2012.[4
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