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{{short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{for|the Scottish law lord|John Wark, Lord Wark}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{featured article}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name           = John Wark
| image          = John Wark.jpg
| image_size     =
| caption        = Wark in 2006
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1957|8|4|df=y}}
| birth_place    = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| height         = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}<ref name=stats>Wark, "Career statistics", pp. 171–176</ref>
| position       = [[Midfielder]]
| youthyears1    = 
| youthclubs1    = 
| years1         = 1975–1984
| years2         = 1984–1988
| years3         = 1988–1990
| years4         = 1990–1991
| years5         = 1991–1997
| clubs1         = [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
| clubs2         = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| clubs3         = [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
| clubs4         = [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
| clubs5         = [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
| caps1          = 266
| caps2          = 70 <!-- NOTE: League games only -->
| caps3          = 89
| caps4          = 32
| caps5          = 154
| goals1         = 94
| goals2         = 28 <!-- NOTE: League goals only -->
| goals3         = 23
| goals4         = 2
| goals5         = 18
|      totalcaps = 611 |totalgoals = 165
| nationalyears1 = 1977–1980
| nationalteam1  = [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U21]]
| nationalcaps1  = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 1979–1984
| nationalteam2  = [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
| nationalcaps2  = 29
| nationalgoals2 = 7
}}
'''John Wark''' (born 4 August 1957) is a Scottish former [[association football|footballer]] who spent most of his playing time with [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]. He won a record four [[List of Ipswich Town F.C. Players of the Year|Player of the Year]] awards before becoming one of the four inaugural members of the club's [[Ipswich Town F.C. Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]]. Wark had long spells at the club, which bookended his career, and a third, brief interlude dividing his briefer periods at [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]. A versatile player, Wark played most of his professional games as a [[midfielder]], although he sometimes played as a [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|central defender]] and on occasion as a [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]].

Born in [[Glasgow]], Wark represented [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] in international football, winning 29 caps and scoring seven goals. This included selection for Scotland in the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]] in which he made three appearances and scored twice.

During his playing career, Wark appeared in the film ''[[Escape to Victory]]''. Since retiring as a professional player in 1996, he has continued to work for Ipswich Town—since September 2008 in the corporate hospitality department. His autobiography, ''Wark On'', was published in 2009.

== Early life ==
Wark was born on 4 August 1957, in [[Princess Royal Maternity Hospital|Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital]] to parents Alex and Helen. The third of four children, he has an older sister Wilma, older brother Alex and younger brother Andrew.<ref>Wark, "I belong to Glasgow", p. 16</ref> The family lived in a four-storey [[Apartment building#Scotland|tenement block]] in [[Partick]]. The family was impoverished: Wark's parents could not afford a cot and as a small child, he slept in a drawer from a [[sideboard]].<ref>Wark, p. 17</ref> Although [[Infant baptism|christened]] John, Wark was soon referred to by his family as Johnny, a diminutive that stuck throughout his footballing career.<ref>Wark, p. 19</ref>

In the early 1960s, the family moved to another tenement block, this time in [[Scotstoun]], and Wark's father secured employment at nearby [[Albion Motors]]. The new home accommodated a back yard in which Wark played football from the age of six. He said "[f]ootball seemed to occupy 99 per cent of my time as a youngster"<ref>Wark, pp. 22–24</ref> as he tried to emulate his brother Alex, who had become a professional at [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]].<ref>Wark, "On trial", p. 26</ref> Wark attended [[Scotstoun Primary School]], where he became captain of the football team. On moving to secondary school, he was selected for the Glasgow Schools representative team.<ref>Wark, p. 28</ref> He also played for [[Drumchapel Amateur F.C.|Drumchapel Amateurs]] at the under-14 level, where he was, for a period, managed by [[David Moyes]]' father, also named David.<ref>Wark, pp. 29–30</ref>

During Wark's time at Drumchapel, he attracted the attention of [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]. He trained with the club at their [[Celtic Park|Parkhead]] ground, before receiving an invitation to sign schoolboy forms for the club. As a lifelong [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] fan with whom Celtic have a [[Old Firm|notable rivalry]]<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/5289202.stm | title = A rivalry tied up in religion|work=BBC News| access-date = 15 May 2009| date = 26 August 2006}}</ref> and with interest from "several English clubs", including [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]], [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] and [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], Wark stalled on the offer.<ref>Wark, pp. 30–31</ref> He trialled with both Ipswich Town and Manchester City, and selected Ipswich when the latter remained non-committal. On arrival at [[Portman Road]], Town manager [[Bobby Robson]], later described by Wark as the person in football "who had the single biggest influence on [him]",<ref>Wark, p. 36</ref> personally welcomed him and Wark signed with the club as an apprentice.<ref>Wark, p. 33</ref>

== Club career ==

=== First spell at Ipswich ===
Wark started his career at Ipswich in the youth team, initially playing at [[left back]] before moving to the centre of defence and occasionally occupying the [[right back]] position.<ref>Wark, pp. 33–37</ref> He signed up as a professional for the club on his 17th birthday.<ref>Wark, p. 43</ref> Selected for the senior squad as a replacement for the injured [[Kevin Beattie]], Wark made his first-team debut on 27 March 1975 in the 3–2 [[FA Cup]] 6th round (3rd replay) victory over [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]];<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050228073157/http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=1372&seasonid=104|archive-date= 28 February 2005| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=1372&seasonid=104 | publisher = Soccerbase| title = Ipswich 1974/1975 results and fixtures|access-date=15 May 2009}}</ref>{{refn|Ipswich and Leeds United had already featured in three draws in the sixth round of the [[1974–75 FA Cup]]. The third match was played at Filbert Street, a neutral venue, and the fourth match—the third replay—at the same location two days later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=1372&seasonid=104| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050228073157/http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=1372&seasonid=104| archive-date=28 February 2005| title=Ipswich 1974/1975 results and fixtures|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=20 June 2009}}</ref>|group=nb}} the game was played at [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]]'s [[Filbert Street]].<ref>Wark, "Work hard play hard", pp. 38–39</ref> A nervous and homesick Wark was reassured by manager Robson:

<blockquote>
"My debut was in the quarter-final of the FA Cup against the Leeds team of [[Johnny Giles|Giles]] and [[Billy Bremner|Bremner]]. He [Robson] said, 'I wouldn't put you in the team if I didn't think you were good enough'. He was a father figure as well because I was homesick. If it hadn't been for the boss I would have been straight back to Glasgow."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/2325875/Tributes-to-Sir-Bobby-Robson.html| title = Tributes to Sir Bobby Robson| access-date = 18 October 2010 | work = Daily Telegraph | date = 16 November 2007 | location=London}}</ref>
</blockquote>

Making four more first-team appearances in place of injured regulars, Wark ended the season still on the youth team, and experienced success in the final of the [[FA Youth Cup]], defeating [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] 5–1.<ref>Wark, pp. 43–44</ref> He spent much of the 1975–76 season playing for the reserves, and was presented with the club's Young Player of the Year award, despite making just four appearances for the senior team.<ref>Wark, pp. 45–46</ref> Moving into [[midfield]], Wark made over 30 appearances in the 1976–77 season, scoring his first goals for the club, (10, in all)<ref name=stats/> taking over [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]]ing duty; he also received his first [[Red card (sports)|red card]].<ref>Wark, pp. 47–49</ref>

In June 1977, Wark was selected for [[Scotland national football team|the Scotland squad]] for the first time, for a friendly match against [[East Germany national football team|East Germany]];<ref name=tocap/> however, a torn hamstring sustained in [[Preseason|pre-season training]] ended any chance of an international debut.<ref name=tocap/> The injury also kept him out of first-team football until January 1978, when he returned for a match against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] in the third round of the [[1977–78 FA Cup]].<ref name=tocap>Wark, "To cap it all", pp. 51–52</ref>
[[File:Finale Ipswich Town tegen Standard Luik (2-0). Wark (rechts) maakt 1-0, Bestanddeelnr 931-6178 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Wark scoring 1-0 for Ipswich in a friendly against East-Belgian club [[Standard Liège]] (2-0) in August 1981, final Amsterdam 706-tournament.]]

Indifferent league performances that season meant that Ipswich finished just three points above the [[Promotion and relegation|relegation zone]],<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.statto.com/football/teams/ipswich-town/1977-1978| title = Ipswich Town 1977–1978 : Home| access-date = 20 March 2012| publisher = statto.com| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120609072418/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/ipswich-town/1977-1978| archive-date = 9 June 2012| df = dmy-all}}</ref> but the season ended in [[1977–78 FA Cup|success in the FA Cup]]. Wark scored in a 3–1 victory over [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in the semi-final,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/articles/2008/02/19/itfc_1978_in_video_feature.shtml| title = Ipswich's 1978 FA Cup story in video| publisher = BBC Suffolk | access-date=15 May 2009}}</ref> and appeared in the [[1978 FA Cup Final|final]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] as part of a side that surprised favourites [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]],<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/richards-closes-the-door-on-ipswich-742886.html|title = Richards closes the door on Ipswich|work=The Independent|access-date=10 June 2009|date=14 December 1999|first=Conrad|last=Leach | location=London}}</ref> winning the game 1–0.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1321993.stm | title = 1978 – Osbourne's year |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=15 May 2009|date=10 May 2000}}</ref> Wark remarked, "We were underdogs but on the day we hammered them."<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fa-cup-arsenal-fearful-of-a-bakers-dozen-henry-winter-looks-forward-to-the-fa-cup-quarterfinals-1496010.html |work=The Independent | access-date = 28 April 2009 | date = 6 March 1993 | title = Football: FA Cup: Arsenal fearful of a Baker's dozen: Henry Winter looks forward to the FA Cup quarter-finals | first = Henry|last= Winter | location=London}}</ref> Wark did not touch the ball for the first 18 minutes of the match,<ref>Wark, p. 58</ref> and as the players left the pitch at half-time, [[David Geddis]] said to Wark, "Make sure you hit it between the [[goalpost|posts]] in the second-half. Avoid the white bits."<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/image_galleries/itfc_1978_fa_cup_gallery.shtml?11|title = 1978 FA Cup Winners (10)| access-date =29 April 2009|publisher=BBC Suffolk}}</ref> In the second half of the game, Wark "ignored Geddis' advice and hit [[Pat Jennings]]' right post twice with almost identical swerving right-foot shots from outside the penalty area".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/content/image_galleries/itfc_1978_fa_cup_gallery.shtml?11|title = 1978 FA Cup Winners (11)| access-date =29 April 2009|publisher=BBC Suffolk}}</ref>

Twice in the three seasons that followed, Ipswich came close to winning the [[Football League First Division|League championship]], but finished as runners-up to Liverpool and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], respectively. However, Ipswich did win the club's only [[UEFA|European trophy]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/1552239.stm| title = Ipswich's Euro return| publisher = BBC Sport| access-date = 4 February 2013| date = 19 September 2001 | first = Andrew | last = Warshaw}}</ref> when they lifted the [[1980–81 UEFA Cup]]. Wark set a competition record by scoring 14 goals, including two – one in each leg – in the [[1981 UEFA Cup Final|final]] as Ipswich overcame Dutch side [[AZ Alkmaar|AZ 67 Alkmaar]] 5–4 on [[Aggregate score|aggregate]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://uk.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/season=1980/index.html | title = 1980/81: Ipswich thankful for Thijssen | publisher = Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) | access-date = 19 March 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130528034804/http://uk.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/season%3D1980/index.html | archive-date = 28 May 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Wark's record equalled the long-standing scoring record in a European competition, set by [[José Altafini]] of [[A.C. Milan]] in the [[1962–63 European Cup]].<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01c5-0e6e867e3775-b975a9ef426c-1000--altafini-reflects-on-milan-marvel/| title = Altafini reflects on Milan marvel| publisher = Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)| access-date = 19 March 2012| date = 18 September 2007
}}</ref>{{refn|The tally was exceeded by [[Jürgen Klinsmann]], who scored 15 in the [[1995–96 UEFA Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01d9-0e722cf52c11-a726c9320dcb-1000--love-conquers-all-in-uefa-cup-goal-race/|title=Love conquers all in UEFA Cup goal race|date=20 May 2009|publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)|access-date=19 March 2012}}</ref>|group=nb}} Wark's personal triumph that year was to win a European accolade, Young Player of the Year,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article503883.ece | title = Caught in Time: Ipswich Town win the Uefa Cup, May 1981| date=7 November 2004| access-date = 29 May 2009|last=Clements|first=Derek|work=The Times | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> and gain the acclaim of his fellow professionals in England to earn the [[PFA Players' Player of the Year|PFA Player of the Year]] award.<ref name=pfa>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1287470.stm | title = Only here for the peers |publisher=BBC Sport | access-date = 27 May 2009 | date = 20 April 2001}}</ref> He ended the 1980–81 season with 36 goals.<ref name=stats/>

Wark continued to play for Ipswich, but after Robson left to become [[England national football team manager|England manager]] in 1982, the side was gradually broken up by new manager [[Bobby Ferguson (footballer born 1938)|Bobby Ferguson]].<ref>Wark, "Goodbye Robson, Hello Wark", p. 81</ref> Following a rejected demand for a wage increase, Wark submitted a [[transfer request]], which was accepted.<ref>Wark, pp. 80–84</ref> He signed for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] for £450,000 on 10 March 1984.<ref name="medical"/><!--seen as one of three replacements for [[Graeme Souness]], who was leaving to play for [[U.C. Sampdoria|Sampdoria]] in Italy that summer.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gZoRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QOgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4124,4013805&dq=wark+liverpool+souness+sampdoria+replace|work = Sydney Morning Herald|title = Who is the new Mr Irreplaceable?|access-date=20 June 2009|date=23 August 1984}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} The other two were [[Jan Mølby]] and [[Kevin MacDonald (footballer)|Kevin MacDonald]].</ref><--> At the time, Liverpool had won the league title six times, the European Cup three times and the League Cup three times in the preceding eight seasons.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/lfc_story/honours/ |publisher=Liverpool F.C.|access-date=21 June 2009|title = The Liverpool F.C. Trophy Cabinet|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080608165925/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/lfc_story/honours/ |archive-date = 8 June 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Wark's final full season at [[Portman Road]], [[1982–83 in English football|1982–83]], had seen him record the highest league goals tally of his career. He scored 20 goals in 42 league games, though it was not enough to prevent Ipswich from slipping to ninth place in the final table – their lowest position since finishing 18th in 1978.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.statto.com/football/teams/ipswich-town/history/modern | publisher = statto.com | access-date = 19 March 2012 | title = Ipswich Town: History 1975 to date | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110923052618/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/ipswich-town/history/modern | archive-date = 23 September 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

=== Liverpool ===
The [[Transfer (football)#Medical examination|medical examination]] for Wark's transfer somewhat surprised him:
<blockquote>
"I was rather taken aback when the doctor entered the Anfield [[The Boot Room|boot room]]", Wark said. "He was small in stature and I could not help but detect the smell of alcohol on his breath as he introduced himself to me. I was even more surprised when he announced we would stay put to conduct the medical examination. "He took my [[blood pressure]], looked at the reading and muttered 'that's fine'. Then something happened that to this day I still cannot get over. He asked me to bend down and touch my toes. "Trying not to show my surprise, I did exactly as he asked and as I lifted my head he spoke again, this time to announce 'you've passed'. That was it, my Liverpool medical."<ref name="medical">{{cite web | url = http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/04/16/john-wark-s-big-fear-i-may-not-get-a-game-for-liverpool-100252-23401159/|title=John Wark's big fear – I may not get a game for Liverpool p.1|work=Liverpool Echo| access-date =21 April 2009|date=16 April 2009|first=James |last=Pearce}}</ref>
</blockquote>
Wark made his debut for the club on 31 March 1984 in a 2–0 league win against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] at [[Vicarage Road]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.statto.com/football/teams/liverpool/1983-1984/results|publisher = statto.com|access-date = 20 March 2012|title = Liverpool 1983–1984 : Results|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110205215312/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/liverpool/1983-1984/results|archive-date = 5 February 2011|df = dmy-all}}</ref> and scored Liverpool's opening goal in the 58th minute.<ref>Wark, p. 88</ref> Liverpool won the English league title [[1983–84 in English football|that season]], and Wark made sufficient appearances to earn himself a medal.<ref>Wark, p. 89</ref> His unusual ability as a goalscoring midfielder was on display when he finished the [[1984–85 in English football|1984–85 season]] as the club's top goalscorer, ahead of prolific striker [[Ian Rush]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bobpaisley.com/Webs/bobpaisley/default.aspx?aid=76| title=Paisley's opinion on John Wark| publisher=bobpaisley.com| access-date=15 May 2009| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606161000/http://www.bobpaisley.com/Webs/bobpaisley/default.aspx?aid=76| archive-date=6 June 2009| df=dmy-all}}</ref> with a tally of 27 goals in 62 appearances—a goal every 2.3 games.<ref name=stats/>  Wark's season included three [[hat-trick]]s, one each in the League, the FA Cup and the European Cup.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_hattricks.asp | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080629101606/http://www.lfchistory.net/stats_hattricks.asp | archive-date = 29 June 2008| title = All hat-tricks in official matches since 1892 | publisher=lfchistory.net|access-date=21 June 2009}}</ref> Liverpool qualified for the [[1985 European Cup Final]] but the match was overshadowed by the [[Heysel Stadium Disaster]], a tragedy Wark remembers as "a nightmare memory".<ref>Wark, p. 100</ref>

In the [[1985–86 in English football|1985–86]] season, Wark made 18 appearances, scoring six times,<ref name=stats/> but missed out on the club's run-in to their League and FA Cup "[[Double (association football)#England|double]]", due to a broken ankle suffered just after the turn of 1986, followed by an [[Achilles tendon]] injury.<ref name=p103>Wark, p. 103</ref> He eventually regained his fitness but struggled to regain his place in the Liverpool team until injury to [[Steve McMahon (footballer)|Steve McMahon]] allowed him back in.<ref name=p103/>  Wark came on as a late substitute (but according to him, never touched the ball)<ref name=p104>Wark, p. 104</ref> when Liverpool lost the [[1987 Football League Cup Final|1987 League Cup Final]] to Arsenal. No longer a part of manager [[Kenny Dalglish]]'s plans following the arrival of new midfielders including [[John Barnes (footballer)|John Barnes]],<ref name=p104/> Wark was sold back to Ipswich on 4 January 1988 for £100,000.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/04/16/john-wark-s-big-fear-i-may-not-get-a-game-for-liverpool-100252-23401159/2/ | title=John Wark's big fear – I may not get a game for Liverpool p.2|work=Liverpool Echo| access-date =18 May 2009|date=16 April 2009|first=James |last=Pearce}}</ref> In spite of more financially lucrative offers from both [[Watford F.C|Watford]] and [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], he followed Bobby Robson's advice: "Money isn't everything—go where you will be happiest."<ref name=p115>Wark, "Back home", p. 115</ref> Wark left the [[Merseyside]] club with a record of 42 goals in 108 appearances, a goal every 2.6 games.<ref name=stats/>

=== Second spell at Ipswich ===
Ipswich had been relegated 18 months before Wark's return to the club and were still playing in the [[Football League Division Two|second tier of English football]].<ref name=p115/> During this second spell at Ipswich, Wark was close to being an ever-present in the side: he missed just two games in two seasons.<ref name=stats/> He was the club's equal top-scorer in the [[1988–89 in English football|1988–89 season]], sharing the achievement with [[Striker (football)|forwards]] [[Dalian Atkinson]] and [[Jason Dozzell]].<ref>Wark, p. 119</ref>

Following three seasons of mid-table finishes,{{refn|Including the season before Wark's return to Ipswich.|group=nb}} manager [[John Duncan (footballer)|John Duncan]] was sacked and replaced by [[John Lyall]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.itfc.co.uk/club/history/ |title = History | publisher = Ipswich Town F.C. | access-date = 4 February 2013|date=16 February 2012| first = Jonathan |last = Ogle}}</ref> With his contract expiring, Wark received what he considered to be a "derisory"<ref name=p123/> offer from Lyall, which he declined. Once he became a [[free agent]], Wark signed on a [[free transfer (football)|free transfer]] for Second Division rivals [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in August 1990.<ref name=p123>Wark, p. 123</ref> In his two additional seasons with Ipswich, Wark had scored 20 goals,<ref name=stats/> and won the club's [[List of Ipswich Town F.C. Players of the Year|Player of the Year award]] in both seasons.<ref name=poty>{{Cite book | title = The who's Who of Ipswich Town | first = Dean | last = Hayes | year = 2006 | publisher = Breedon Books | isbn = 1-85983-515-5 | page =183 }}</ref>

=== Middlesbrough ===
Wark signed for Middlesbrough, the first club to show "a definite interest" in him, on a two-year contract, moving back to play in the centre of defence.<ref>Wark, p. 124</ref> He made regular appearances and helped the team to seventh place by the end of the [[1990–91 in English football|season]] and qualification for the [[Football League One play-offs|Second Division play-offs]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.statto.com/football/teams/middlesbrough/1990-1991/table|publisher = statto.com|access-date = 20 March 2012|title = Middlesbrough 1990–1991 : English Division Two (old) Table|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130919072446/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/middlesbrough/1990-1991/table|archive-date = 19 September 2013|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Following a 1–1 draw with [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] at [[Ayresome Park]], Wark was informed by manager [[Colin Todd]] that he would not be selected for the second leg. Wark was outraged; Middlesbrough lost the second leg 1–0.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.statto.com/football/teams/middlesbrough/1990-1991/results| title = Middlesbrough 1990–1991 : Results| access-date = 20 March 2012| publisher = statto.com| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111005083738/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/middlesbrough/1990-1991/results| archive-date = 5 October 2011| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Todd departed from the club and was replaced by [[Lennie Lawrence]], who insisted that all players live "within an hour of Ayresome Park". Wark was still living in Ipswich at the time and following a "sensible agreement" with Lawrence, Wark's contract was terminated and he became a free agent again.<ref>Wark, p. 125</ref>

=== Third spell at Ipswich ===
Remaining without a club before the start of the [[1991–92 in English football|1991–92 season]], Wark trained with Ipswich to keep fit, and rejected interest in his services from [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]], [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] and [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]].<ref name=p126>Wark, "Renaissance man", pp. 126–127</ref> When Ipswich suffered a succession of injuries among their defenders, they offered him a contract, initially on a week-by-week basis, before securing a year-long deal.<ref name=p126/>  Wark made 43 appearances in the first season of his third spell with the club.<ref name=stats/> Early results in the season were excellent; the club won seven of their first 11 matches in the league.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=1372&seasonid=121 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050506093438/http://www.soccerbase.com/results2.sd?teamid=1372&seasonid=121 | archive-date=6 May 2005| title = Ipswich 1991/1992 results and fixtures|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=15 June 2009}}</ref> In the FA Cup, Ipswich progressed to a fifth round encounter against Liverpool; when the tie went to a replay at [[Anfield]], Wark received a standing ovation from both sets of fans.<ref name=p128to129>Wark, pp. 128–129</ref> Ipswich lost the match 3–2 after extra time, having led 2–1 in the first period. Ipswich went on to finish strongly in their league campaign and were crowned Second Division champions and promoted into the newly formed [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6157523.ece| title = Hopes that glory years will return to Ipswich |work=The Times | first = Tom |last=Dart| access-date = 28 April 2009|date = 24 April 2009 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Wark ended the season as the club's Player of the Year for the third time.<ref name=poty/>

Wark agreed to a new one-year contract for the [[1992–93 in English football|1992–93 season]] and was asked to feature in a [[Sky Sports]] advertisement to promote the inaugural Premier League competition.<ref name=p128to129/> Ipswich were the only Premier League club to remain unbeaten after eight games (a sequence that included Wark's first Premier League goal in a 1–1 draw with [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]).<ref name=statto>{{cite web|url = http://www.statto.com/football/teams/ipswich-town/1992-1993/results|title = Ipswich Town 1992–1993 : Results|publisher = statto.com|access-date = 20 March 2012|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130324011417/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/ipswich-town/1992-1993/results|archive-date = 24 March 2013|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Ipswich went fourth in February and there was talk of finally winning that title that had eluded them more than once during Wark's first spell there, but 13 consecutive games without a win resulted a 16th-place finish in the table, just three points above the relegation zone, and only a win on the final day of the season made sure of their survival.<ref name=statto/><ref>Wark, p. 130</ref> Wark, now aged 37, secured yet another one-year contract shortly before the end of the [[1993–94 in English football|1993–94 season]]. Ipswich were saved from relegation in the last round of matches (for the second season running, another good start had given way to a late season slump), courtesy of an [[injury time]] winning goal scored by [[Mark Stein (footballer)|Mark Stein]] of [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] at [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], which ensured that Ipswich's fellow strugglers [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] were relegated.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football--premiership-relegation-focus-blades-lose-the-final-battle-trevor-haylett-reports-on-sheffield-uniteds-32-defeat-at-chelsea-which-ensured-their-relegation-1434761.html | title = Football / Premiership Relegation Focus: Blades lose the final battle: Trevor Haylett reports on Sheffield United's 3–2 defeat at Chelsea which ensured their relegation|last=Haylett|first=Trevor|access-date=5 June 2009|work=The Independent| date=9 May 1994 | location=London}}</ref> Wark went on to be voted the club's Player of the Year for a record fourth time.<ref name="poty"/>

Ipswich and Wark fared worse in the [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95 season]]. The club lost 9–0 to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] during a season in which Ipswich "recorded fewer victories and suffered more defeats than in any campaign in the club's history". He was sent off in the away game at Norwich, where the team lost 3–0.<ref name=p136>Wark, p. 136</ref> Wark made fewer than 20 appearances in the following season, primarily because of a persistent foot injury.<ref name=p136/> Despite his appearance in three more matches in the [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97 season]], and a [[Testimonial match|testimonial]] against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] at Portman Road, Wark played his last professional match against [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] on 30 November 1996 at the age of 39. By this stage, he was the club's oldest player.<ref name=p136/>  Of a total 826 league matches played by Wark as a professional, he made 679 appearances for Ipswich.<ref name=stats/> {{As of|2009|6|5}}, he is Ipswich Town's third-highest all-time scorer, with 179 goals scored for the club, despite rarely appearing as a striker.<ref name=stats/>

== International career ==
From 1979, Wark was selected to play for his country, usually as a defender,<ref>Wark, "Scotland the Brave", p. 139</ref> eventually winning 29 caps for [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] and scoring seven goals.<ref name=stats/> [[Jock Stein]] was the Scotland manager who gave him his debut, in a game held on 19 May 1979, a [[1979 British Home Championship|British Home Championship]] match against [[Wales national football team|Wales]] at [[Ninian Park]]; Scotland lost 3–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/international_fixture_details.cfm?page=463&matchID=57471|title=Jock Stein: Wales 3–0 Scotland|publisher=Scottish Football Association|access-date=25 April 2009}}</ref> Wark scored his first international goal a week later on 26 May, again in a British Home Championship game, this time against [[England national football team|England]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]]. Wark's opening effort was not enough, as Scotland were defeated 3–1.<ref>Wark, "International football", p. 172</ref> A week later Wark played for Scotland in a friendly against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] at [[Hampden Park]]. However, the game is best remembered for [[Diego Maradona]] scoring his first international goal in helping Argentina to a comfortable 3–1 win.<ref>{{cite web|title=Scotland v Argentina: the story so far|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/scotland-v-argentina-the-story-so-far-1-1147442|website=The Scotsman|access-date=20 August 2015|date=18 November 2008}}</ref>

After a 3–1 home defeat by [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] in December 1979, Wark was not selected again for his country until February 1981 for the [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 World Cup]] qualifying match away against [[Israel national football team|Israel]].<ref name=stats/> Following a successful qualification campaign,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football.cfm?page=133 | title=World Cup History | access-date = 1 June 2009|publisher = Scottish Football Association}}</ref> Wark was included in the Scotland squad that went to the World Cup in Spain under Stein's leadership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=59/teams/team=43967.html|title=1982 FIFA World Cup Teams: Scotland|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)|access-date=25 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427112012/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D59/teams/team%3D43967.html|archive-date=27 April 2009}}</ref> Wark played three games and scored two goals,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=59816/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513234539/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=59816/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 May 2008|title=FIFA Player Statistics: John Wark|publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)|access-date=25 April 2009}}</ref> both of which were in Scotland's 5-2 opening match victory over [[New Zealand men's national football team|New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=59/results/matches/match=1051/report.html |title=1982 FIFA World Cup Spain: Scotland – New Zealand |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) |access-date=25 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629034155/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D59/results/matches/match%3D1051/report.html |archive-date=29 June 2009 }}</ref> Scotland were knocked out in the group stage.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=59/results/index.html | publisher = Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) | access-date = 29 April 2009 | title = 1982 FIFA World Cup Spain | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211061018/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D59/results/index.html | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Wark's final appearance for Scotland came in September 1984, under Stein;<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/international_fixture_details.cfm?page=463&matchID=57685| title = Scotland v Yugoslavia|publisher = Scottish Football Association| access-date=26 May 2009}}</ref> he was replaced in favour of [[Paul McStay]] at halftime in a 6–1 victory over [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]].<ref name=stats/>

== Playing style and personality ==
Wark played as a [[central defender]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/brave-ipswich-rely-on-the-wright-stuff-1324470.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/brave-ipswich-rely-on-the-wright-stuff-1324470.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Brave Ipswich rely on the Wright stuff |last=Allsop|first=Derick|date=17 January 1996|work=The Independent|access-date=25 April 2009 | location=London}}</ref> midfielder and, occasionally, as a striker.<ref>Wark, pp. 121–122: "... I had a brief run as a makeshift striker alongside [[Chris Kiwomya]]..."</ref>

Wark was not a "supremely talented" player, but, according to football journalist [[Jim White (journalist)|Jim White]], one who espoused team-work and team spirit: "There is no question that the 'one-for-all, all-for-one' mentality generated in the Anfield dressing room was the engine that drove the great team. With players such as [[Alan Kennedy]], John Wark, [[Sammy Lee (footballer)|Sammy Lee]] and [[Craig Johnston]], nobody could claim this was a collection of top-notch operators in the manner, say, of the current [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]. Every week, they played as an entity greater than the sum of its parts."<ref>{{Cite book | first = David|last= Bolchover | title = The 90-minute manager|year= 2004 | isbn= 0-273-69384-0 |publisher=Prentice Hall|page=209}}</ref> He has been described as "a defensive midfielder with an astonishing goalscoring record".<ref>{{cite web|url =https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2298557/PFA-Player-of-the-Year-winners-1974-2007.html|title = PFA Player of the Year winners 1974–2007|access-date= 27 May 2009|date=28 April 2008|first=Emily|last= Benammar|work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London}}</ref>

Over the years, Wark has become closely associated with his moustache. [[Owen Slot]] described the player as "Ipswich's immortal moustache",<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/exhibition--spectator-sport-turning-his-back-on-the-football-field-julian-germain-takes-photographs-of-aspiring-fanatics-owen-slot-calls-the-shots-1394887.html|work=The Independent | access-date = 8 May 2009 | date = 18 February 1994| title =Spectator sport: Turning his back on the football field, Julian Germain takes photographs of aspiring fanatics. Owen Slot calls the shots| first = Owen|last= Slot | location=London}}</ref> while Wark himself notes "...&nbsp;it is something of a trademark, even if people are always calling me [[Bruce Grobbelaar|Bruce]] ..."<ref>Wark, p. 166</ref>

== Life outside football ==
[[File:John Wark at Portman Road.jpg|thumb|250px|Wark at [[Portman Road]] in 2007]]

=== Personal life ===
Wark has married twice—first to Toula, on 1 July 1981,<ref name="Wark 159">Wark, p. 159</ref> with whom he has a son, Andrew, born in June 1983.<ref name="Wark 159"/> He married Karen at [[Gretna Green]] in April 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/16751193.former-big-brother-contestant-ties-the-knot-at-gretna-green/ |title=Former Big Brother contestant ties the knot at Gretna Green |access-date=21 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Film appearance ===
In 1981, Wark was one of several Ipswich players who appeared alongside stars including [[Bobby Moore]] and [[Pelé]] in the [[Second World War]] football film ''[[Escape to Victory]]'', which starred [[Sylvester Stallone]], [[Michael Caine]] and [[Max von Sydow]].<ref name="escape">{{cite news| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article6005964.ece| title = Terry Butcher calls for Scott Brown to walk in John Wark's footsteps | date = 31 March 2009| access-date = 30 April 2009 |work=The Times | first = Phil | last = Gordon | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Wark played a character called Arthur Hayes,<ref>Wark, p. 157</ref> but his only line of dialogue was dubbed due to his broad [[Glaswegian dialect|Glaswegian accent]].<ref name=escape/>

=== Since retirement as a player ===
Following his retirement from playing football professionally, Wark continued to live in Suffolk, like many other ex-Ipswich players, including [[Allan Hunter (footballer)|Allan Hunter]], [[Mick Mills]], [[Roger Osborne]] and [[Mick Lambert]].<ref>Wark, p. 61</ref> Despite his retirement from the professional ranks, Wark continued playing football as an amateur, and signed for [[Woodbridge Town F.C.|Woodbridge Town]] in 1999 alongside former Ipswich team-mate [[Paul Mason (footballer)|Paul Mason]].<ref name="amat">{{cite news | url = http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/archive/1999/02/16/Oxfordshire+Archive/6637151.Wark_and_Mason_to_tackle_Thame/|title = FootballWark and Mason to tackle Thame| work=Oxford Mail|access-date=20 March 2012|date=16 February 1999}}</ref> He also played veterans football for Windsor and Eton,<ref name="amat"/> played with [[Soccer AM]]'s ''Badgers'' team at the [[Millennium Stadium]],<ref>Wark, p. 164</ref> and has represented the Liverpool veterans in the Sky Sports [[Masters Football|Masters]] series.<ref>{{cite web | title = Football: Butcher can give Gers the chop Says John Wark| access-date = 15 May 2009 | work=Sunday Mirror|date = 13 March 2005 | first = Ewan|last= Smith| url= http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Butcher+can+give+Gers+the+chop+Says+JOHN+WARK%3B+EXCLUSIVE...-a0130188670}}</ref>

In 2005, Wark was voted as the [[BBC]] television programme ''[[Football Focus]]'' "all-time cult hero" by Ipswich Town fans.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/4416061.stm | title = Ipswich's cult heroes|publisher=BBC Sport| access-date = 27 May 2009|date=8 April 2005}}</ref><!--  In March 2007, Wark sold some football memorabilia at auction, including an "Ipswich Town UEFA Cup signed hat-trick ball for £400, and a match-worn swapped [[A.S. Roma|A S Roma]] shirt for £300".<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.lockdales.com/Howtosell.htm| access-date = 1 June 2009 | publisher = Lockdales | title = How to sell your collection}}</ref>-->  In 2008 [[Radio Suffolk]] announced that he would join their commentary team as a summariser, alongside former team-mates [[Kevin Beattie]] and [[Bryan Hamilton]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/7528360.stm | title = Radio Suffolk names expert team|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 May 2009|date=28 July 2008}}</ref> Wark was working in the corporate hospitality department at Ipswich Town in September 2008.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article4837264.ece | title = Caught in Time: Field day for Tractor Boys |work=The Times | access-date = 28 April 2009 | date = 28 September 2008 | first = Derek |last=Clements | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> As of March 2014, he remains in that job.<ref>{{cite news | title = Modern day legend, but not a Boro great: Paylor's Views with Eric Paylor | work = Teesside Gazette | date = 5 March 2014 | page = 2}}</ref>

=== Autobiography ===
Wark's autobiography ''Wark On'' was published on 9 April 2009.<ref>{{Cite book| title = Wark on: The Autobiography of John Wark (Hardcover)|publisher = Amazon| id =  {{ASIN|1848185111|country=uk}}}}</ref> The book contained material that gained media interest. Wark sold his [FA Cup Final] tickets for cash to a [[black market|ticket tout]].<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-warks-big-fear---3418678 | work = Liverpool Echo| title = John Wark's big fear – I may not get a game for Liverpool| access-date = 20 November 2019 | date = 7 May 2013 | first = James| last = Pearce}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==
=== Club ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name=stats/>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="4"|Appearances
!rowspan="2"|Goals
|-
![[Football League|Football<br />League]]
![[FA Cup]]
![[Football League Cup|League<br />Cup]]
!Other
|-
|rowspan="11"|[[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]
|[[1974–75 in English football|1974–75]]
|3||2||0||0||0
|-
|[[1975–76 in English football|1975–76]]
|3||1||0||0||0
|-
|[[1976–77 in English football|1976–77]]
|33||3||2||0||10
|-
|[[1977–78 in English football|1977–78]]
|18||7||0||1||7
|-
|[[1978–79 in English football|1978–79]]
|42||5||1||7||9
|-
|[[1979–80 in English football|1979–80]]
|41||4||2||3||15
|-
|[[1980–81 in English football|1980–81]]
|40||7||5||12||36
|-
|[[1981–82 in English football|1981–82]]
|42||3||8||2||23
|-
|[[1982–83 in English football|1982–83]]
|42||3||2||2||23
|-
|[[1983–84 in English football|1983–84]]
|32||2||4||0||11
|-
!Total
!266||37||24||27||134
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|[[1983–84 in English football|1983–84]]
|9||0||0||0||2
|-
|[[1984–85 in English football|1984–85]]
|40||7||3||12||27
|-
|[[1985–86 in English football|1985–86]]
|9||4||3||2||6
|-
|[[1986–87 in English football|1986–87]]
|11||2||3||1||7
|-
|[[1987–88 in English football|1987–88]]
|1||0||1||0||0
|-
!Total
!70||13||10||15||42
|-
|rowspan="4"|Ipswich Town
|[[1987–88 in English football|1987–88]]
|7||0||0||2||2
|-
|[[1988–89 in English football|1988–89]]
|41||1||3||4||13
|-
|[[1989–90 in English football|1989–90]]
|41||2||1||3||10
|-
!Total
!89||3||4||9||25
|-
||[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
|[[1990–91 in English football|1990–91]]
|32||2||5||0||2
|-
|rowspan="7"|Ipswich Town
|[[1991–92 in English football|1991–92]]
|37||5||1||3||3
|-
|[[1992–93 in English football|1992–93]]
|37||4||7||0||7
|-
|[[1993–94 in English football|1993–94]]
|38||5||3||0||4
|-
|[[1994–95 in English football|1994–95]]
|26||2||0||0||4
|-
|[[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]]
|14||2||1||2||2
|-
|[[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]]
|2||0||1||0||0
|-
!Total
!154||18||13||5||20
|-
!colspan="2"|Career total
!611||73||56||56||223
|}
<!-- blank line to make it look better -->
<!-- blank line to make it look better -->

=== International ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name=stats/>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="6"|[[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
|1979||9||1
|-
|1980||0|| 0
|-
|1981||3||1
|-
|1982||8||4
|-
|1983||6||1
|-
|1984||3||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!29!!7
|}

:''Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wark goal.''

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by John Wark<ref>[http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=2492&playerID=113832&squadID=1 SFA profile]</ref>
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| style="text-align:center"|1 || 26 May 1979 || [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London, England || {{fb|ENG}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–3 || [[1978–79 British Home Championship]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|2 || 25 March 1981 || [[Hampden Park]], [[Glasgow]], Scotland || {{fb|NIR}} || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || [[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)|1982 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|3 || 28 April 1982 || [[Windsor Park]], [[Belfast]], Northern Ireland || {{fb|NIR}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|1–1 || [[1981–82 British Home Championship]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|4 || rowspan="2"|15 June 1982 || rowspan="2"|[[Estadio La Rosaleda]], [[Málaga]], Spain || rowspan="2"|{{fb|NZL}}  || style="text-align:center"|2–0  || align="center" rowspan="2"|5–2 || rowspan="2"|[[1982 FIFA World Cup Group 6|1982 FIFA World Cup]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|5 || align="center"|3–0
|-
| style="text-align:center"|6 || 13 October 1982 || Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland || {{fb|GDR}} || style="text-align:center"|1–0 || style="text-align:center"|2–0 || [[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying Group 1|UEFA Euro 1984 qualification]]
|-
| style="text-align:center"|7 || 30 March 1983 || Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland || {{fb|SUI}} || style="text-align:center"|1–2 || style="text-align:center"|2–2 || UEFA Euro 1984 qualification
|}

== Honours ==
In 2006 Wark gained the final place in the poll [[100 Players Who Shook the Kop]], conducted by the liverpoolfc.tv website.<ref name="tv">{{cite web|url = http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs/news/2006/oct/8/N153706061008-0859.htm|title=100 PWSTK – The Definitive List|publisher=Liverpool F.C.|access-date=27 May 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080731063435/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs/news/2006/oct/8/N153706061008-0859.htm |archive-date = 31 July 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The list was compiled as a result of a fan survey: "Over 110,000 supporters all nominated their own personal Top 10 players in order of impact made".<ref name="tv"/>
In 2007, the [[Professional Footballers' Association]] polled fans of all Football League clubs, as to "their No 1 player" as part of the "centenary celebrations of the players' union"; Wark was the choice of Ipswich fans.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2328937/Best-footballers-Shearer-a-hero-on-two-fronts.html|title=Best footballers: Shearer a hero on two fronts|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=27 May 2009 | location=London | first=Martin | last=Smith | date=19 December 2007}}</ref> In the same year, Wark was one of four Ipswich Town players to be inducted into the club's Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/four_town_players_in_hall_of_fame_1_215107|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130420040656/http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/four_town_players_in_hall_of_fame_1_215107|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2013|title=Four Town players in Hall of Fame|work=East Anglian Daily Times|access-date=4 February 2013|date=17 April 2010}}</ref>

'''Ipswich Town'''<ref name=stats/>
* [[FA Cup]]: [[1977–78 FA Cup|1977–78]]
* [[UEFA Cup]]: [[1980–81 UEFA Cup#Final|1980–81]]
* [[Football League Second Division]]: [[1991–92_Football_League#Second_Division_2|1991–92]]

'''Liverpool'''<ref name=stats/>
* [[Football League First Division]]: [[1983–84 Football League|1983–84]], [[1985–86 Football League|1985–86]]
* [[FA Charity Shield]]: [[1986 FA Charity Shield|1986]] (shared)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lfchistory.net/SeasonArchive/Game/1533 |title=Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton  |publisher=lfchistory.net |access-date=31 March 2020}}</ref>

'''Individual'''<ref name=stats/>
* [[PFA Players' Player of the Year]]: 1980–81
* [[List of UEFA Cup and Europa League top scorers|UEFA Cup Top Scorer]]: [[1980–81 UEFA Cup|1980–81]]
* [[Bravo Award]]: 1981
* [[PFA Team of the Year (1980s)#First Division 2|PFA Team of the Year]]: [[1980–81_Football_League#First_Division|1980–81 Football League First Division]]
* [[Ipswich Town F.C. Player of the Year]]: 1988–89, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1993–94 
* [[Ipswich Town F.C. Hall of Fame|Ipswich Town Hall of Fame]]: Inducted 2007<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/wark_honoured_to_be_on_hall_of_fame_1_119904 |first=Elvin |last=King |work=Ipswich Star |title=Wark 'honoured' to be on Hall of Fame |date=10 August 2007 |access-date=8 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826024829/http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/wark_honoured_to_be_on_hall_of_fame_1_119904 |archive-date=26 August 2016 }}</ref>

== Notes ==
<references group="nb" />

== References ==
;General
* {{Cite book | first=John| last= Wark| title = Wark On – The Autobiography of John Wark| date= February 2009| isbn=978-1-84818-511-1| publisher = Know the Score Books}}

;Specific
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
*{{Cite book | first=Dean | last= Hayes| title = The Who's Who of Ipswich Town | year= 2006| isbn=1-85983-515-5 | publisher = Breedon Books}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/info/john-wark Profile] at the Liverpool F.C. website
* {{SFA profile}}
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/Players/Player/Profile/438 LFC History Profile]
* [http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=99 Scotland U21 stats] at Fitbastats

{{Scotland squad 1982 FIFA World Cup}}
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{{1980–81 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{UEFA Europa League top scorers}}
{{Bravo Award winners}}
{{PFA Players' Player of the Year}}
{{Ipswich Town F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Scottish Football Hall of Fame}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wark, John}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Mid Suffolk District]]
[[Category:Footballers from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Scottish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Drumchapel Amateur F.C. players]]
[[Category:Ipswich Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Liverpool F.C. players]]
[[Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players]]
[[Category:Woodbridge Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
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[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
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[[Category:1982 FIFA World Cup players]]
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[[Category:21st-century Scottish autobiographers]]