Chris Clark (footballer, born 1980)

Christopher Clark (born 15 September 1980) is a former Scottish footballer, who last played for Highland League club Cove Rangers. Clark previously played for Aberdeen (in two spells) and Plymouth Argyle. He has also represented his country at B level.

Not to be confused with Chris Clarke (footballer, born 1980).

Chris Clark
Personal information
Full name Christopher Clark
Date of birth (1980-09-15) 15 September 1980
Place of birth Elgin, Scotland
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Cove Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2008 Aberdeen 199 (9)
2008–2011 Plymouth Argyle 107 (2)
2011–2014 Aberdeen 34 (2)
2014–2015 Cove Rangers 36 (1)
Total 376 (14)
International career
2006–2008 Scotland B 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 June 2013

Club career

Aberdeen

Clark began his career at Aberdeen, and firmly established himself as a first-team regular, playing all but one game for the club in the 2006–07 season, in which the Dons qualified for European football. A versatile player, Clark was used predominantly in midfield, but was also played at either full-back position. Clark earned plaudits for his "industrious" performances in Aberdeen's central midfield, but found the net infrequently, scoring just 10 times in 236 appearances.

Plymouth Argyle

Clark signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Plymouth Argyle in January 2008, following a bid of £200,000 that had been accepted by Aberdeen.[1] "Chris can play in four or five positions so it's a great benefit to us that he comes with that great pedigree," said manager Paul Sturrock. He made his debut for Argyle in the FA Cup against Portsmouth and scored to give them a lead against Premier League opposition. He was in and out of the team for the remainder of the season, but during the 2008–09 season Clark was ever-present in the first eleven, putting in a string of impressive performances on the left and right-wing. Having made 116 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring four goals,[2] he was one of nine first team players that were released at the end of the 2010–11 season before their contracts expired in June 2011.[3][4]

Return to Aberdeen

At the end of June, Clark rejoined his former club Aberdeen on a free transfer.[5][6] "I know other clubs were interested but the family love it in the North-East and it's fantastic to see so many familiar faces," he said.[7] A move to Kilmarnock looked likely before he chose to return to Pittodrie.[6] "I heard he was signing for Killie and had ruled out getting him," said manager Craig Brown. "When we found out there was still a chance we could get him, we did what we could to make that happen. He is exactly what we have been looking for". He was re-united with two former teammates from Plymouth Argyle as Kari Arnason and Rory Fallon also joined The Dons.[5] On 7 April 2012, Clark scored his first goal since his return to the club in the 3–1 New Firm derby win against Dundee United at Pittodrie.[8]

Cove Rangers

Clark was released by Aberdeen in the January 2014 transfer window and signed for Cove Rangers on 4 February 2014.[9]

International

In November 2006, Clark made his Scotland B debut against Ireland B,[10] and has gone on to make two more appearances for the Scotland B team.

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club[11][12][13] Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Aberdeen 1998–99 SPL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - 0 0
1999–00 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - - 3 0
2000–01 24 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 - - 27 0
2001–02 8 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 - - 9 0
2002–03 25 1 3 0 0 0 2 0 - - 30 1
2003–04 23 2 5 1 2 0 0 0 - - 30 3
2004–05 31 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 - - 34 2
2005–06 31 2 2 0 3 0 0 0 - - 36 2
2006–07 37 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 - - 40 1
2007-08 18 1 1 0 2 0 6 0 - - 27 1
Total 199 9 18 1 10 0 9 0 - - 236 10
Plymouth Argyle 2007-08 Championship 12 0 1 1 0 0 - - - - 13 1
2008-09 36 0 1 0 0 0 - - - - 37 0
2009-10 37 1 2 0 1 0 - - - - 40 1
2010-11 League 1 22 1 1 0 1 0 - - 2 0 26 1
Total 107 2 5 1 2 0 - - 2 0 116 3
Aberdeen 2011-12 SPL 24 1 4 0 2 0 0 0 - - 30 1
2012-13 10 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 - - 12 1
2013-14 Scottish Premiership 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - 0 0
Total 34 2 4 0 4 0 0 0 - - 42 2
Cove Rangers 2014-15 Highland League 36 1 1 0 - - - - - - 37 1
Total 36 1 1 0 - - - - - - 37 1
Career total 376 14 28 2 16 0 9 0 2 0 431 16

References
  1. "Plymouth snap up Aberdeen's Clark". BBC Sport. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  2. "Chris Clark". GoS-DB. Greens on Screen. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  3. "Nine out of contract players released by cash-strapped Plymouth Argyle". The Herald. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  4. "Plymouth Argyle release nine first-team players". BBC Sport. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  5. "Chris Clark returns to Aberdeen". STV. 29 June 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  6. McLeod, Liam (28 June 2011). "Aberdeen re-sign Pilgrims' Chris Clark". BBC Sport. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  7. Gunn, David (29 June 2011). "Chris Clark back at Aberdeen as Man City goalkeeper joins on loan". The Scotsman. Retrieved 29 June 2011.
  8. "Aberdeen 3–1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  9. "Ex-Dons midfielder Chris Clark signs for Cove Rangers". Evening Express. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  10. "Rep of Ireland B 0-0 Scotland B". BBC Sport. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  11. "Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust - Player Profile". afcheritage.org. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  12. "Chris Clark » Club matches". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  13. "Chris Clark | Football Stats | No Club | Age 42 | 1997-2019 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
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