When he’s not on the pitch in his capacity as a coach, Lurgan’s Mark Savage can be found at his High Street store ‘Floored’. Well embedded in the business and sporting community Marks ties to the town run deep. Having navigated his academic path through the unique Dickson Plan, being educated at Kings Park and Millington Primary Schools’, before moving into secondary education at Lurgan Junior High School, Lurgan College. Mark later moved into Higher Education at Upper Bann Institute before studying Design at the University of Ulster Art College.
Although his educational interests initially centered around Art and Design, Mark’s career aspirations took some time to solidify only finding clarity as he approached his twenties. During Mark’s student years, he gained valuable experience and life skills working for Craigavon Borough Council as a Park Ranger before moving into Sports Development at Craigavon Civic Centre. But neither of these pathways were to bare fruit as a career. It wasn’t until after completing his studies that Mark made the decision to follow his interest in interior design.
With that focus in mind, the budding young designer joined the renowned Lurgan company Fulton’s Fine Furnishings as a designer and salesperson. This was to prove a pivotal step in his career that eventually led to a promotion as Flooring Manager within the company.
As Mark delved into his role, a genuine passion for interior design was ignited within him. Over the passing years, he seized countless opportunities to travel and behold some of the most exquisite homes across the UK. These experiences not only fuelled his enthusiasm for the industry but also deepened his appreciation for the art of interior design.
After spending fourteen years at Fulton’s, Mark took a significant step in his career, transitioning towards self-employment.
Recalling the decision the Lurgan businessman says;
“The need to pivot my career path left me facing a challenging period. It was during this trying time that I contemplated venturing into establishing my own flooring shop, drawing on my familiarity with the industry. It was at this point that I started to explore going it alone. Flooring and football was all I knew and football wasn’t going to pay the bills”.
In March 2013, Floored emerged next door to Fulton’s on Queen Street, Lurgan, marking the beginning of a new chapter. Starting from the ground up was no easy feat, but armed with determination and trust in his instincts, Mark poured his heart and soul into making it a triumph.
“The early years demanded long hours, often clocking in 80-hour work weeks”
Fast forward eleven years, and Floored has firmly entrenched itself in not only the Lurgan market but right across Northern Ireland. With a need for more floor space and a desire to carry a larger range, Mark made the decision to relocate into the heart of Lurgan Town Centre on High Street in 2021.
Outside of his day-to-day career, Mark’s passion for football never wavered. As a self professed avid supporter of Sunderland AFC, Mark finds immense joy in following the teams matches, perhaps an occupational hazard stemming from his recreational past.
“I was fortunate enough to have a long career as a semi professional footballer in the Irish League playing for Portadown, Dungannon Swifts, Glenavon and Loughgall. That was many years ago!”
While those days are now sadly a distant memory, Mark has transitioned into a volunteer coaching role at Lurgan Town Boys Football Club, where he takes pleasure in nurturing local talent.
Beyond football, his interests span across music, and the thrill of kayaking, which he embraced during what some might call a mid-life adventure. This diverse range of hobbies keeps life exciting and fulfilling, allowing him to explore different facets of his personality and interests.
Mark’s journey exemplifies resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of his passion, showcasing the power of embracing change and seizing new opportunities in the pursuit of one’s dreams.