Graham Peter Clarke (11 August 1935 – 27 April 2010) was an English professional footballer who played as a full-back for Southampton in the 1950s.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graham Peter Clarke | ||
| Date of birth | 11 August 1935 | ||
| Place of birth | Nottingham, England | ||
| Date of death | 27 April 2010 (aged 74) | ||
| Place of death | Southampton, England | ||
| Position(s) | Full-back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Nottingham Boys | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1953–1959 | Southampton | 3 | (0) |
| 1959–1961 | Ashford Town[1] | 56 | (1) |
| 1961–1963 | Heanor Town | ||
| 1963–1966 | Arnold St Mary's | ||
| 1966–19?? | Totton | ||
| International career | |||
| 1951–1953 | England youth | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Football career
editClarke was born in Nottingham, where he made a name for himself playing for Nottingham District as a wing-half. At 16, he was capped for England in the 1951 youth internationals going on to captain the side twice in the following season.[2]
Despite his father's wishes that he should continue his apprenticeship as a motor mechanic, Clarke signed for Southampton as a part-time professional in 1953. He made his debut for the reserve team on 26 December 1955, replacing former England international Bill Ellerington, playing at right-back against Watford.[3] By the start of the 1957–58 season, Clarke was a regular in the reserves and on 19 October 1957 he made his first team debut, becoming the fourth right-back in as many games with first-choice Len Wilkins out with a broken wrist. Despite the "Saints" holding Shrewsbury Town to a 2–2 draw, Clarke was replaced by John Page for the next match.[4]
The form of Wilkins and then Ron Davies at right-back restricted Clarke to two further first-team appearances, against Colchester United on 1 May 1958 and at Rochdale on 4 April 1959.[5] He was released in the summer of 1959 into non-league football.[2]
Later career
editClarke returned to Nottingham to live, taking up employment with the Raleigh Bicycle Company before moving back to Southampton where he worked for the General Post Office.[2]
Clarke died in Southampton on 27 April 2010, survived by his wife, Phyllis, and three children.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Graham Clarke player profile". www.nutsandboltsarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ a b c Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. pp. 495–496. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
- ^ In That Number. p. 440.
- ^ In That Number. pp. 48, 51.
- ^ In That Number. pp. 54–55.
- ^ "Obituaries". Saints Official Matchday Programme: 47. 7 August 2010.