FORMER County Ground favourite Mark Davis is returning to his West Somerset roots this summer after being announced as the new senior coach at Minehead Cricket Club for the 2025 season.

The left arm seamer, who hails from Kilve, which is where he grew up playing his cricket, is a well known figure in the area, and attended West Somerset School where he was part of a winning team that was coached by Peter Westmacott.

Mark, who is the last cricketer from West Somerset to go onto play for the county, came to the notice of the powers that be when he won the ‘Search for a Star’ competition which was run by a local paper.

Mark made his debut for Somerset in 1982 playing alongside the likes on Ian Botham, Viv Richards and Joel Garner and between then and 1987 took a total of 149 wickets at an average of 35.62.

Mark’s best season was in 1984 when he claimed 66 wickets and enjoyed his career best figrures of 7 for 55 against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

After his first class career Mark spent many years as cricket coach at Millfield School and under his watchful eye enabled 18 young players go onto play first class cricket, including the likes of Craig Kieswetter, James Hildreth and Arul Suppiah.

Since leaving Millfield in 2014 Mark has continued to offer his services as a coach at King’s College and Queen’s College in Taunton and at King’s Bruton as well as several clubs in the county.

Mark will bring a wealth of knowledge which he will hope to share when he attends the Minehead CC pre-season training sessions that begin on Wednesday, 5th February, at the Sports Centre beginning at 5.30pm.

Each training session will be planned and run by Mark so players of all ages and stages will be able to benefit from his expertise.