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He eventually broke into the first team way back in October 1995 when he made his debut in disappointing style, Crewe going down to a 5-2 reverse, and a 7-4 aggregate defeat, in the second leg of the League Cup against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Rivers went on to make 24 starting appearances in that season, and nine from the bench, scoring ten goals in the process.
The continually steady form of Rivers led to Norwich boss Nigel Worthington making a bid for the wideman on transfer deadline day in March 2001, as the Canaries boss looked for a pacy striker to partner targetman Iwan Roberts in the Norwich front-line.
That initial bid was rejected, as was another in May of that year, but Crewe and Norwich eventually came to an agreement over a fee in the region of £500,000 at the end of June 2001. Rivers had scored 58 goals in 209 starts, with 30 more appearances as a substitute, for the Railwaymen in his seven seasons in Cheshire when he made the move to East Anglia after being at his hometown club for 17 years.
Rivers enjoyed a useful first two seasons at Carrow Road as he was an integral part of the Norwich side that was pushing for promotion from the then Division One, although he was sidelined on a couple of occassions with ankle injuries. Another good start to the 2003-04 season saw him quickly established as the Canaries' leading scorer until injury again forced him out of the side.
Unable to get a first team place when he was fit again, due to the form of Kevin Harper and Ian Henderson, Mark made it clear that he needed first team football. Crewe offered to take him back on loan in January 2004 but Norwich refused and Rivers returned to the Canaries side as they lost 1-0 at Bradford City on 10th January 2004, albeit as a substitute.
At the beginning of July 2004, Norwich and Rivers agreed to cancel his contract as he wanted to be involved in regular first team football. He joined East Anglian neighbours Ipswich Town almost immediately, playing in their pre-season friendly against Peterborough on 10th July 2004. When the Tractor Boys decided against taking him on, Mark returned to Crewe on trial, eventually signing a two year deal with his former club on 20th July at half-time during Crewe's friendly with Everton.
Rivers made 28 appearances, and another ten from the bench, bagging eight goals in the process, last season but has found his chances of first-team football limited this campaign. The right-winger has made just ten starts with eight as a substitute this year, netting three times and has made only one start for the first-team since late November 2005. Rivers was told by long-time Alex' boss Dario Gradi that he could leave Gresty Road in the January transfer window if the right offer came in for him.
Gradi commenting : "He's been ill but has worked hard, got on with it. I've told him he can move on if he wants, because I want to play the young ones instead of him. But I said if he doesn't get a move he'll be considered like everyone else, and he is doing well at the moment."
That right offer has obviously now come in for Rivers from United boss Paul Simpson and the club hope to rush his registration through in time for the LDV Vans Trophy game against Kidderminster tomorrow night. The Blues boss faced stiff competition from League One side Blackpool for the signing of the winger but that move to the Seasiders fell through a couple of days ago, apparently when 'Pool boss Simon Grayson pulled the plug on the deal. Where the signing of the former Crewe man leaves Brendan McGill and Raphael Nade in the midfield pecking order is anybody's guess but Rivers should prove to be a more than useful addition to a Carlisle squad pushing for an automatic promotion place.
Welcome to Cumbria Mark, and good luck!!