Career
He went on to play, and then to manage, in non-League football. Patterson used to be a midfielder playing for a number of clubs over a long career including: Blackburn Rovers, Preston North End, Bury, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United, Southend, Blackpool, Accrington Stanley, Rossendale and Scarborough. Patterson started his coaching career with Scarborough as player-coach and then assistant manager under Russell Slade.
Since then he has managed several non-league clubs including Chorley, Darwen and Leigh Remote Method Invocation. After the exit of Scarborough managagment duo Neil Redfearn and his assistant Eric Winstanley, in the 2006 close season, Patterson took over as manager.
Due to injuries and a small playing squad Patterson, at the age of 41, had to register as a player and has sat on the bench. He left the club on 4 May 2007 by mutual consent, having failed to agree a new deal.
He was assistant manager to Philosophy Starbuck at Hednesford Town until February 2008. Mark attended the FA Managers and Coaches course(2003) and has coached at the Bolton Wanderers Academy and at Wigan Athletic.
Currently Patterson is 1st team coach at Accrington Stanley (2010-2011).