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Ciaran Clark

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Ciaran Clark
Clark warming up for the Republic of Ireland in 2013
Personal information
Full name Ciaran Clark[1]
Date of birth (1989-09-26) 26 September 1989 (age 35)[1]
Place of birth Harrow, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender / Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Aston Villa
Number 6
Youth career
2000–2009 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009– Aston Villa 130 (6)
International career‡
2005–2006 England U17 6 (0)
2006–2007 England U18 2 (0)
2007–2008 England U19 9 (0)
2009-2010 England U20 2 (1)
2011– Republic of Ireland 16 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:31, 26 March 2016 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 00:31, 26 March 2016 (UTC)

Ciaran Clark (born 26 September 1989) is a professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Aston Villa. 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 U-18 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 preseason 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 nineteen-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 also was 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.
Also in the same season he 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 Jelavic. 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 City F.C, 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 Football League Cup away at Norwich City F.C which saw Villa qualify for the semi-finals.

2013–14 season

Clark started Aston Villa’s first game in Aston Villa’s 1-3 away victory at Arsenal. After a dip in his form midway through Aston Villa’s season, he was dropped to the bench and 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 consistent 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 begun 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]

International career

England

Clark captained the England U-19 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.[13][14] After being promoted to the England U-20s, 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.[15] 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.[16] On 12 November 2010, Clark was named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway.[17] He then made his debut on 8 February 2011 against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.[18] On 6 February 2013, Clark scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland, helping them to a 2–0 friendly victory against Poland.[19]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 26 March 2016.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aston Villa 2008–09[20] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009–10[21] Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
2010–11[22] Premier League 19 3 3 1 3 0 0 0 25 4
2011–12[23] Premier League 15 1 2 1 1 0 — 18 2
2012–13[24] Premier League 29 1 2 0 4 0 — 35 1
2013–14[25] Premier League 27 0 1 0 0 0 — 28 0
2014–15[26] Premier League 25 1 4 0 0 0 — 29 1
2015–16[27] Premier League 14 0 3 1 2 0 — 19 1
Career total 130 6 15 3 10 0 0 0 155 9

International

As of match played 26 March 2016.[28]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2011 2 0
2012 1 0
2013 6 1
2014 2 0
2015 4 0
2016 1 1
Total 16 2

International goals

As of match played 6 February 2013. Republic of Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Clark goal.[28]
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 [19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 84. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ^ "Ciaran Clark is Villa's 'Mr Versatile'". Express and Star. 4 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Ciaran Clark confirms allegiance to Ireland". GreenScene. 20 October 2010.
  4. ^ "FT: Republic of Ireland 3 Wales 0". Sky Sports. 8 February 2011.
  5. ^ "RESERVES: VILLA 3–1 Sunderland". 21 May 2009.
  6. ^ "Peace Cup squad". avfc.co.uk. 22 July 2009.
  7. ^ "Aston Villa 2 – 0 Fulham". BBC Sport. 30 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Garth Crooks' team of the week". BBC Sport. 30 August 2009.
  9. ^ "Future is bright for Aston Villa youngsters, says Gordon Cowans". Birmingham Mail. 13 June 2008.
  10. ^ "Ciaran Clark grateful for deal at Aston Villa". Birmingham Mail. 28 November 2009. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 26 September 2012 suggested (help)
  11. ^ "Twitter / OptaJoe: 6 - The only player in PL history". Twitter.com. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  12. ^ "Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  13. ^ "Captain's Pride". TheFA.com. 1 April 2009.
  14. ^ "Czechs' rivals aim to be class acts". uefa.com. 16 July 2008.
  15. ^ "Republic of Ireland approach Ciaran Clark about switching his England allegiance". Birmingham Mail. 28 September 2010.
  16. ^ "Ciaran Clark pledges international future to Ireland – after ringing endorsement from Richard Dunne". Birmingham Mail. 5 October 2010.
  17. ^ "Ciaran Clark called up the Irish Squad". GreenScene. 12 November 2010.
  18. ^ "Republic of Ireland 3–0 Wales". RTÉ Sport. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  19. ^ a b "Republic of Ireland 2–0 Poland". BBC Sport. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  21. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  22. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  23. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  24. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  25. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  26. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 April 2015.
  27. ^ "Games played by Ciaran Clark in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  28. ^ a b Ciaran.html "Ciaran Clark". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 4 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
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