Mark Gavin, who joined Exeter City from Bristol City towards the end of his professional career, made nearly eighty league appearances for the Grecians in the mid-1990s before moving on to play a small number of games for Scarborough, Hartlepool and Morton. Having started at Leeds, Mark had appeared for a string of clubs before arriving at St James’ Park.

Growing up near Glasgow Mark moved south to join Leeds United as a trainee in 1980 and, after signing professional forms in December 1981, went on to score three times in 30 league appearances for the Elland Road club. Having spent time on loan at Hartlepool United, he signed for Carlisle United in July 1985 before switching to Bolton Wanderers in March 1986 where he netted three goals in 49 league outings. 

Mark then moved to Rochdale in August 1987 before a £30,000 move to Hearts from where, after playing just nine league games, he was transferred to Bristol City for a similar fee in October 1989. After less than a year at Ashton Gate, Mark was soon on his way to Watford in August 1990 before heading back to Bristol City in a £60,000 move in December 1991. Playing 110 league games in his two spells at Ashton Gate, Mark - by now aged thirty - agreed to a £10,000 switch to Exeter City in February 1994. 

Joining a team facing relegation from the third-tier Mark made his debut in the home game against Rotherham United on 12 February 1994 and was to make 37 league appearances in the following campaign that ended with the Grecians at the foot of the Football League. Subsequently, with Peter Fox now at the helm, Mark remained with the club until the end of 1995/96 as the club climbed to a healthier 14th place. 

Signing for Scunthorpe United in August 1996. Mark made just eleven league appearances before even briefer spells with Hartlepool United and Morton. Years later he admitted to having been a professional gambler for many years.