Cocozza, Marc

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PersonalMark Cocozza - Defender - 1997-2001

Fullname: Marc Cocozza
aka:
Born: 8th January, 1981
Birthplace: Glasgow
Signed:3rd July, 1997
Position: Left Back
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: Scotland U-16 and U17 squads.
International Goals: ?

Biog

Mark Cocozza of Glasgow signed full professional terms with Celtic at the start of the 1997-98 season with a contract to June 1999. A talented defender he had played through the various age groups with Celtic Boys Club, joining them from Johnstone Boys Group, signing an S-Form with the club sometime before 1995. He was chosen as part of a City of Glasgow team which went to China to play in 1996.

His first season as a professional coincided with the arrival of Eric Black at the club who set about transforming Youth Development at the club and started the whole idea of Academy training. It took until September for Mark to make his entry onto team sheets but he began to be picked for the Youths squad as well as appearing in Celtic's BP Youth Cup teams that season. At the end of the season however he suffered a setback when he tore medial ligaments in his knee keeping him out from late April onwards.

When Dr Josef Venglos arrived as coach the following season there was more emphasis on youth development than had been see under the management of Jansen. Mark started well again with the Youth squad, but he suffered a second knee injury in late September 1998 when he tore medial ligaments again and strained his cruciates. It took till mid December before he made a come back but by the end of the season he not only featured regularly for the Youth side and in the BP Youth and Glasgow Cup teams but also made a good number of U-21 appearances before succumbing yet again to a knee injury at the end of the season.

He started 1999-00 with a new contract through to June 2001 and was also made captain of the U-18 side playing through an injury-curtailed season with both the U-18's and U-21's. 2000-01 was spent solidly with the Reserves with one Friendly sub appearance in the club benefit game played for Morton in March 2001 when he came on for Jon Paul McGovern. Out of contract at the start of 2001-02 he played a few Reserve games before being offered a short term deal with Dundee Utd in November and leaving Celtic on a free transfer. He only made 2 appearances for Dundee Utd. one of which was in the televised game of of 29th December 2001 where he was praised by the Scotsman for his game. His second appearance was as an 80th minute sub for Jamie McCunnie in another 4-0 tanking this time by Aberdeenin mid-February and he was released in March.

The start of 2002-03 found Marc at Station Park, Forfar then under the management of Neale Cooper. A season long contract saw Marc make 3 appearances, having to wait until February 2003 for his debut. Again he was released at the end of the season.

He left professional football and returned to Glasgow playing in Junior football. "003-04 was spent with Johnstone Burgh and 2004-05 with Maryhill Juniors.

Marc currently works as a taxi driver in Glasgow.

Playing Career

Season Team and Details
1994-1997 Celtic Boys Club; S-Form w Celtic in 1995; represented City of Glasgow in China, 1996; Scotland U-16 1997
1997-98 Celtic Youth team; selected for Scotland UEFA U-16 Championship team
1998-99 Celtic Youth and U-21 teams; selected for Scotland U-17 team
1999-00 Celtic U-18 and U-21 teams; selected for Scotland U-19 team
2000-01 Celtic Reserves plus 1 representative team appearance as sub in Benefit game for Morton 24/03/01
2001-02 Celtic Reserves to November; out of contract; free transfer
Short term contract, Dundee Utd 07/11/01 – 30/03/02; 2 appearances; released
2002-03 1 year contact; Forfar Athletic 23/08/02 – 23/06/03; 3 appearances; left professional football
2003-04 Johnstone Burgh no appearance data
2004-05 Maryhill Juniors no appearance data

Honours:

  • BP Youth Cup 1998-99

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