Mark Yardley (Centre forward, 1988-89, 1994-95) - Mark Yardley was with Cowden as a 17 year old in 1988/89 when he joined us from West Lothian College. The tall, slim young striker showed some promise but failed to become a regular and was released at the end of the season. After a spell with Clermiston Villa, he joined his local junior side Livingston United and hammered in goals year after year. Cowden resigned him in 1994. Yardley made a sensational return grabbing 4 goals in a 6-2 drubbing of Arbroath. Hat-tricks v Queen’s Park and East Fife soon followed as he banged in 27 goals in his first year back at Central Park. Early the next season, St Mirren paid £25,000 for his services. Yards scored in the 1st minute of his Saints’ debut. Over the next seven years, Mark became a great Love Street favourite. Saints won the 1st Division title in 2000 and Mark scored 19 league goals to be the Division’s top scorer and win the First Division player of the year award. Mark also had a good loan spell with Forfar and wound up his senior career with a couple of seasons leading the line at Albion. Mark made 364 senior appearances and scored 124 goals.