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A particular source of pride for Motherwell fans is the number of youngsters the club has brought through who have gone on to make names for themselves. The club have a fine reputation for giving young talent a chance and this has the likes of James McFadden, Stephen Pearson, Gary McAllister and Tom Boyd to name but a few go on to represent their country and play in the English top flight, arguably Europe's Premier top division.
Many 'Well fans believe that sooner or later it is almost inevitable that Mark Reynolds be another to join the list.
Mark first appeared in the 'Well squad when Rangers travelled to Fir Park in January 2006. His and several other youngsters inclusion on the 'Well bench prompted then gaffer Terry Butcher to compare the embarrassment of riches on the visitors bench to his collection of seventeen and eighteen year olds required to make up the full compliment. It wouldn't be long however before Reynolds began to make headlines of all his own.
While Mark didn't feature in that particular encounter against Rangers his breakthrough did eventually come later in the season. Starting on the left of midfield Reynolds helped the Dossers to a 1-0 win over Livingston at Almondvale in the penultimate game of the 2005'06 season.
That evening Mark featured for 80 minutes before being replaced by Kevin McBride and did enough to suggest he had a bright future ahead of him.
Reynolds was involved in the early pre-season games for the first team in the build up to the 2006'07 season but missed out on the club's tour of Northern Ireland as he represented Scotland in the U19 European Championship Finals in Poland.
There Reynolds started one group match against Spain in a tournament which saw the young Scots come from nowhere to finish as runners up to favourites Spain in the final.
Mark's return to Fir Park was timely and with several of the 'Well side on the sidelines through injury he was handed an opportunity in the first team when 'Well hosted Aberdeen in mid-August.
Showing his versatility he lined up in central-defence and turned in a fine display alongside skipper Stephen Craigan. He has never been dislodged since.
Throughout the 2006'07 season Reynolds not only retained his place in the side but became a mainstay of it. His displays proved to be one of the major high points of a disappointing campaign that saw him win a number of Man of the Match awards and be linked with a move to the Premiership after less than 20 first team games.
As well as helping the 'Well defence become more solid Mark showed he had he ability to be more than handy at the other end of park too where he netted his first Motherwell goal in the 5-0 romp over Kilmarnock and was in the right place at the right time to set up Scott McDonald to score in the 2-1 win over Dunfermline.
His impressive displays prompted Maurice Malpas to tie the player up on a deal to 2010, possibly one of the most significant pieces of business the former 'Well gaffer did in his year long tenure.
The defender has already made himself known to those outwith Fir Park and played his way into the Scotland U21 side, picking up his first cap in a friendly match against Germany.
He also continued to feature regularly for the Scotland U20 side and cemented his place in the squad for the World Championships in Canada in the summer of 2007. In a hugely disappointing tournament for Scotland, Mark was one of the few who came home with his reputation enhanced, playing in all three of Scotland's games and netting against Costa Rica.
The 2007'08 season saw Mark continue where he left off. An ever-present in a 'Well side which secured 3rd place and a UEFA Cup spot, Reynolds gained further international experience picking up Scotland U21 caps against the Czech Republic, Lithuania and European U21 Champions Holland.
A close season bid for Mark from UEFA Cup Finalists Rangers was swiftly dismissed by the club as they fended off what is likely to be the first of many bids if the defender continues to develop at the current rate.
Mark's progress during the 2008'09 season was aided by the experience of playing against AS Nancy in the UEFA Cup and being selected for the Scotland B squad against Northern Ireland. He also made his 100th appearance for the club the 2-0 derby win over Hamilton Accies in November 2008.
Mark McGhee's replacement Jim Gannon demanded his players show adaptability and in the early part of the 2009'10 campaign Mark was tested at left-back, in midfield just in front of the defence and in his regular central defensive role as Gannon has shuffled his pack for each game.
Reynolds was also given additional responsibility captaining the side in the absence of club captain Stephen Craigan.
When Gannon departed Reynolds responded under the guidance of Craig Brown and Archie Knox and settled in once more his regular place alongside Stephen Craigan helping 'Well to no fewer than ten shut-outs after the turn of the year.
Mark also found his shooting boots throughout the 09'10 campaign finding the net on 4 occasions, his best goalscoring return thus far in his 'Well career.
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D.O.B:
07/05/1987
Born:
Motherwell
Height:
6' 1'
Weight:
10st 8Ibs
Signed From:
MFC Youth
Position:
Defender
International Caps:
 0
International Goals:
0
2010/11 Squad No:
4
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