Ciaran Clark

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[1]
Place of birth	Harrow, England
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[1]
Playing position	Defender / Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Aston Villa
Number	6
Youth career
2000–2009	Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2009–	Aston Villa	84	(5)
National team‡
2005–2006	England U17	6	(0)
2006–2007	England U18	2	(0)
2007–2008	England U19	9	(0)
2009	England U20	2	(1)
2011–	Republic of Ireland	9	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:53, 29 January 2014 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 21:55, 16 December 2013 (UTC)

Ciaran Clark (born 26 September 1989) is a professional footballer who plays for 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.

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.^[12][13] 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.^[14] 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.^[15] On 12 November 2010, Clark was named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway.^[16] He then made his debut on 8 February 2011 against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.^[17] On 6 February 2013, Clark scored his first goal for the Republic of Ireland, helping them to a 2–0 friendly victory against the Poland national football team.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 29 January 2014.

International

As of match played 11 October 2013.^[23]

References

External links

• Ciaran Clark profile at Aston Villa F.C.
• Ciaran Clark career stats at Soccerbase
• Ciaran Clark – UEFA competition record