Ciaran Clark

Ciaran Clark (born 26 September 1989) is a professional footballer who plays for Championship club Newcastle United. Clark is naturally a central defender, but is also able to operate as a central midfielder and at left-back.^[2]

Clark captained England at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level, but in October 2010 declared his ambition to play for the Republic of Ireland.^[3] He was called up to the national team a month later for the friendly match against Norway, and made his full debut against Wales on 8 February 2011.^[4]

Club career

Aston Villa

Early career

Although born in Harrow, London^[1] and growing up in Sandy, Clark came through the Aston Villa youth academy after joining at the age of eleven. He captained the academy U18 team to the 2007–08 Premier Academy League, the academy's maiden league title. He was given a squad number for the 2008–09 season and named on the bench for Villa's 2008–09 UEFA Cup match away at CSKA Moscow, but remained an unused substitute. He captained the reserves to the Premier Reserve League South title and defeated PRL North winners Sunderland in the play-off final to win their first ever Reserve League trophy.^[5]

2009–10 season

Clark was included in the squads for the pre-season friendlies and the 2009 Peace Cup.^[6] On 30 August 2009, he made his debut in a 2–0 win against Fulham. With Curtis Davies unavailable through injury, the 19-year-old was named in Villa's starting line-up, partnering Carlos Cuéllar in defence.^[7] He helped keep a clean sheet and nearly marked his debut with a goal but sent his header inches wide. Garth Crooks of the BBC named the youngster in his team of the week.^[8] Although the formidable partnership of new signings James Collins and Richard Dunne limited him to the bench, he was tipped to break into the first team on a regular basis within several years.^[9] In November 2009, he signed a contract extension until 2012.^[10]

2010–11 season

Clark started in the first two league games of the 2010–11 season: against West Ham United, partnering Richard Dunne and keeping a clean sheet; then against Newcastle United. Clark was also handed a start in Gérard Houllier's first match as new Villa manager, against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup. He then started the match against local rivals Birmingham City in midfield and continued in the role against Fulham and Blackpool due to the club's injury crisis. On 27 November 2010, Clark scored his first two goals for the club in a 4–2 defeat against Arsenal at home. He scored a 91st-minute equaliser against Chelsea on 2 January 2011 to rescue a point. He also became the only player in Premier League history to be booked in six successive appearances within the same season.^[11]

2011–12 season

Clark scored his first FA Cup goal for the club against Bristol Rovers on 29 January 2012, with a fantastic solo run, including stepovers and a left-footed strike curled into the bottom corner.

2012–13 season

Clark playing for Aston Villa in 2013

On 25 August 2012, he was sent off against Everton for a professional foul on Nikica Jelavić. On 3 September 2012, he scored his first goal of the season in a 1–1 draw away to Newcastle United. On 8 December 2012, after captaining Villa's youth and reserve sides, Clark was handed the armband for the senior side for the first time in a 0–0 draw at home to Stoke, after Gabriel Agbonlahor who had started the match as captain was replaced by Darren Bent. Clark then followed up his initial role as captain by performing the role again, this time for the full 90 minutes, 3 days later in a 4–1 victory in the League Cup away at Norwich which saw Villa qualify for the semi-finals.

2013–14 season

Clark started Aston Villa’s first game in Aston Villa’s 3–1 away victory at Arsenal. After a dip in his form midway through Aston Villa’s season, he was dropped to the bench as Lambert preferred a partnership between Ron Vlaar and fellow academy graduate, Nathan Baker. However, due to injury constantly plaguing Aston Villa's defence, along with consistently poor results, Clark still managed 28 appearances in a season that saw Villa finish 15th on 38 points. He accumulated 9 yellow cards throughout the season.

2014–15 season

Aston Villa began the 2014–15 season in good form with Paul Lambert re-introducing Alan Hutton, forming a new look back four of Alan Hutton, Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos and Aly Cissokho. When an injury ruled Vlaar out, Nathan Baker came into the back four, with Clark remaining on the bench. After injuries to both Nathan Baker and Philippe Senderos, Clark was called on along with Jores Okore and formed a solid partnership. Clark scored his first goal of the season from a free-kick curled in by Ashley Westwood, in a 2–1 home victory over Leicester.^[12]

Newcastle United

On 3 August 2016, Newcastle announced that they have completed the signing of Ciaran Clark.^[13] Clark scored his first goal for the club in a 6-0 win against Queens Park Rangers on 13 September 2016.^[14]

International career

England

Clark captained the England U19 team through qualification for the 2008 European Championships, playing in five out of the six qualifiers and scoring a goal. He missed out on the tournament through an ankle injury sustained during training.^[15][16] After being promoted to the England U20s, he was appointed captain and scored in only his second match, in a friendly against Italy on March 2008.

Republic of Ireland

Clark playing for the Republic of Ireland in 2013

In late September 2010, Football Association of Ireland (FAI) officials approached Clark about switching his allegiance. They sent scout and former Republic of Ireland under-21 manager, Don Givens, to watch him in the match against Blackburn.^[17] On 5 October 2010, it was reported that Clark had pledged his international future to the Irish national team as he qualified through his Irish parents. Richard Dunne played a role in convincing him and had spoken to FAI scouts about his eligibility.^[18] On 12 November 2010, Clark was named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway.^[19] He then made his debut on 8 February 2011 against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.^[20] On 6 February 2013, Clark scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland, helping them to a 2–0 friendly victory against Poland.^[21]

Euro 2016

In Republic of Ireland's opening match at Euro 2016 against Sweden, Clark deflected a ball from Zlatan Ibrahimović into his own net to level the scores. Wes Hoolahan had earlier given Ireland the lead but Clark's mishap saw them share the spoils as the match ended 1–1.^[22]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 20 November 2016.

International

As of match played 12 November 2016.^[32]

International goals

As of match played 12 November 2016. Republic of Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Clark goal.^[32]

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref
1	6 February 2013	Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland	4	Poland	1–0	2–0	Friendly	[21]
2	25 March 2016	Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland	16	Switzerland	1–0	1–0	Friendly	[33]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ciaran Clark.

• Ciaran Clark profile at the official Aston Villa F.C. website
• Ciaran Clark career statistics at Soccerbase
  

Republic of Ireland squad – UEFA Euro 2016
1 Westwood 2 Coleman 3 Clark 4 O'Shea 5 Keogh 6 Whelan 7 McGeady 8 McCarthy 9 Long 10 Keane (c) 11 McClean 12 Duffy 13 Hendrick 14 Walters 15 Christie 16 Given 17 Ward 18 Meyler 19 Brady 20 Hoolahan 21 Murphy 22 Quinn 23 Randolph Coach: O'Neill