Coopers Fan Profile - Mark Milne
Andrew Thomson
Mark Milne is a regular face down at the nest, watching his beloved Western Magpies - but what you may not know, is that Mark is a Pies supporter with a difference!
Mark is also a former elite sportsman himself, representing Australia at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics in both 7-a-side soccer and shot put.
Mark was the Skipper of the Soccer team, who finished 5th to narrowly miss out on a medal and he also finished a creditable 6th in the shot put. He was classed as a C8 athlete, which is a cerebral palsy classification for athletes retaining a good level of mobility.
Mark was already an elite soccer player before suffering injuries in a car accident in 1985 just 4 months before his 21st Birthday. Mark reflects that he was forced off the road by a car on the wrong side, and as a result he hit a power pole and suffered and acquired brain injury.
Before the accident he was a member of the Brisbane Lions team, playing as a sweeper when they were in the then National Soccer League (NSL).
His longtime connection with the Magpies involves playing at Sherwood as a youngster with some of his good mates, before his talent for the round ball game saw him pursue that sport at the highest level in Australia at the time.
If you see Mark around the footy club, be sure to say g'day and chat to him about his own impressive sporting career, as he was certainly a very special talent both before and after his accident.