| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Clarke | ||
| Date of birth | 3 November 1973 | ||
| Place of birth | Sheffield, England | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Rotherham United | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1992–1996 | Rotherham | 124 | (0) |
| 1996–1999 | Sheffield Wednesday | 4 | (0) |
| 1997–1998 | → Kidderminster (loan) | ? | (?) |
| 1999–2001 | Bradford City | 38 | (0) |
| 2001 | → Bolton Wanderers (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2001–2004 | Crystal Palace | 38 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Matthew Clarke (born 3 November 1973 in Sheffield) is an English former football goalkeeper.
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Clarke's first club was Rotherham United, where his nickname was Matt the Cat, in reference to his agility. He won the 1996 Football League Trophy with Rotherham.[1] He then signed with Sheffield Wednesday where he served as cover to Kevin Pressman.
He joined Bradford City after they won promotion to the Premier league in 1999 and helped Bolton Wanderers two years later into the Premier League, playing in the play-off final.
He later joined Crystal Palace but his career was curtailed by an injury he suffered which caused his premature retirement in 2004.
Clarke never played for England but his impressive displays particularly for Bradford City in the Premier League led to many, including the Bradford supporters calling for him to receive international selection.[2]