 Wark signed for Middlesbrough , the first club to show " a definite interest " in him , on a two @-@ year contract , moving back to play in the centre of defence . He made regular appearances and helped the team to seventh place by the end of the season and qualification for the Second Division play @-@ offs . Following a 1 – 1 draw with Notts County at Ayresome Park , Wark was informed by manager Colin Todd that he would not be selected for the second leg . Wark was outraged ; Middlesbrough lost the second leg 1 – 0 . Todd departed from the club and was replaced by Lennie Lawrence , who insisted that all players live " within an hour of Ayresome Park " . Wark was still living in Ipswich at the time and following a " sensible agreement " with Lawrence , Wark 's contract was terminated and he became a free agent again . 
