Aaron Clapham

Aaron Daniel Clapham (born 15 January 1987) is a former New Zealand footballer and current Football coach.[3] Clapham spent most of his senior footballing career with ISPS Handa Premiership club Canterbury United FC.

Aaron Clapham
Clapham warming up during a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mexico in November 2013
Personal information
Full name Aaron Daniel Clapham[1]
Date of birth (1987-01-15) 15 January 1987
Place of birth Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Height 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2005–2006 Saint Francis Red Flash
2007–2008 Louisville Cardinals
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009 Dandenong Thunder 10 (0)
2009–2017 Canterbury United 117 (61)
2011 → Wellington Phoenix (loan) 0 (0)
2013 → APIA Leichhardt Tigers (loan) 10 (2)
2018–2019 Team Wellington 4 (0)
2019–2020 Canterbury United 21 (4)
International career
2007 New Zealand U-20 8 (0)
2010–2013 New Zealand 13 (0)
Managerial career
2020– New Zealand U-17 (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of End of Career

Club career

In 2005 Clapham accepted a football scholarship at Saint Francis University, Loretto, Pennsylvania before joining the University of Louisville where he spent 2 seasons, scoring 8 times in 37 appearances. He then moved to Australia, joining Dandenong Thunder in the Victorian Premier League.

Clapham played 117 times for Canterbury United, having scored 61 goals from the centre of midfield. His first goal came in his club's 2–0 victory over Waikato FC on 8 November 2009. Having helped his side to 4th in the New Zealand Football Championship and progressing to the playoff final, he was awarded New Zealand Football Championship Player of the Year for the 2009–10 season.

Clapham has long been considered one of the top players in the New Zealand Football Championship, being named to the league's team of the month in November, December, January, and February during the 2009–10 season. Clapham captained Canterbury United to their highest league position of 2nd place in the 2011–12 season.

On 7 February 2011, he signed a one-game loan deal from Canterbury United to play for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.[4]

On 2 June 2020, he retired from football, after a final season at Canterbury United Dragons.[5]

International career

Clapham has earned national representation at Under-20 level, where he represented New Zealand at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.[6]

After impressing for Canterbury United during the 2009–10 season, Clapham was selected as a part of a 15-man FIFA World Cup training camp for Australia and New Zealand-based players.[7] Following a strong performance for New Zealand 'A' against a NZFC Select XI at the conclusion of the camp on 8 May 2010, Clapham was named as a surprise call-up by All Whites coach Ricki Herbert for New Zealand's 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign.[8]

Clapham made his official international debut on 10 October 2010 when he came on as a late substitute in his country's 1–1 draw with Honduras.[9]

International goals and caps

New Zealand's goal tally first.

International career statistics

[10]

New Zealand national team
YearAppsGoals
201020
201130
201240
201340
Total130

Coaching career

Clapham was named on 31 July 2020, as Assistant coach of the New Zealand national under-17 football team.[11]

Personal life

His sister Sara Clapham also represented New Zealand internationally, making 3 appearances for the New Zealand senior women's team.[12]

References
  1. "FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. 5 July 2007. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  2. "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018: List of Players: Team Wellington FC" (PDF). FIFA. 6 December 2018. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 December 2018.
  3. Assistant coaches appointed for age-group teams
  4. Phoenix Make Changes www.a-league.com.au
  5. Former All White Aaron Clapham hangs up his boots after eventful career
  6. 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand Profile FIFA
  7. Smith, Tony (15 April 2010). "Clapham delighted to join NZ training squad". Stuff. Archived from the original on 18 May 2010. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  8. Johnstone, Duncan (10 May 2010). "All Whites World Cup squad named". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  9. "Woodzee nets as All Whites thrill". Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
  10. Aaron Clapham at National-Football-Teams.com
  11. George Fosty (11 May 2010). "Aaron Clapham named New Zealand U-17 assistant coach". Boxscore News.
  12. Tony Smith (11 May 2010). "Clapham's off to the cup". Stuff.
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