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Josh Clarke (footballer, born 1994)

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Joshua Joseph Jason Ishmel Clarke (born 5 July 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back or right winger. He is a graduate of the Brentford youth system and made over 80 appearances for the club between 2013 and his departure in 2020. After nearly two years out of the game (bisected by a non-playing spell with Wigan Athletic), Clarke dropped into non-League football to transfer to Dartford in 2021, for whom he played until early 2022.

Josh Clarke
Clarke playing for Carshalton Athletic in 2013.
Personal information
Full name Joshua Joseph Jason Ishmel Clarke[1]
Date of birth (1994-07-05) 5 July 1994 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Walthamstow, England[3]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[4]
Position(s) Right back, right winger
Youth career
2011–2013 Brentford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2020 Brentford 72 (3)
2012–2013 → Carshalton Athletic (loan) 7 (1)
2013 → Carshalton Athletic (loan) 10 (0)
2013–2014 → Maidenhead United (loan) 2 (0)
2014 → Braintree Town (loan) 0 (0)
2014 → Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 0 (0)
2014 → Stevenage (loan) 1 (0)
2015–2016 → Barnet (loan) 10 (3)
2019 → Burton Albion (loan) 6 (0)
2020 Wigan Athletic 0 (0)
2021–2022 Dartford 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:52, 18 May 2024 (UTC)

Career

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Brentford

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Early years (2011–2013)

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Clarke signed a two-year scholarship at League One club Brentford during the 2011 off-season, after being spotted while on a course at Southgate College.[5] He also represented Middlesex Schools at U17 level.[6] Clarke progressed from the youth team to the Development Squad and played the first senior football of his career for Isthmian League Premier Division club Carshalton Athletic on two work experience loans during the 2012–13 season.[7][8] He made 17 league appearances and scored one goal during a season to forget for the club,[9] in which it narrowly avoided relegation.[10]

Loan spells (2013–2015)

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Clarke signed a one-year professional contract for the 2013–14 season and made two cup appearances during the early months of the campaign.[11][12] Mid-season loans with Conference South club Maidenhead United and Conference Premier club Braintree Town respectively yielded just two appearances,[13][14][15] After finishing the 2013–14 season as the leading appearance-maker in the Brentford Development Squad,[16] Clarke was promoted into the first team squad for the remainder of the League One season on 16 April 2014.[17] With promotion to the Championship secured,[18] he made his league debut when he replaced right back Nico Yennaris after 81 minutes of a 4–1 defeat to Colchester United 10 days later.[15]

Clarke signed a new a one-year contract on 9 June 2014 and joined League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge on a 28-day youth loan on 22 August 2014.[19][20] His only involvement with the first team came when he was an unused substitute during the following day's match versus Mansfield Town.[21] Failure to recover from a thigh injury saw Clarke return to Brentford when his loan expired.[22] He failed to feature at all in the first team during the 2014–15 season.[21] He made 19 Development Squad appearances during the season, moved from right wing to right back and impressed sufficiently to sign a new one-year extension in late June 2015.[23][24]

Fringe player (2015–16)

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Clarke made his first senior Brentford appearance in over 15 months in the League Cup first round versus Oxford United on 11 August 2015 and was one of the few Bees players to offer any spark in the 4–0 defeat.[25][26] An injury crisis saw him keep his place in the squad throughout August and September and he made three further appearances before departing join League Two club Barnet on loan on 15 October 2015.[27][28][29] Clarke returned to Brentford when his loan expired on 3 January 2016,[30] after making 10 appearances and scoring three goals.[25] Nearly five months since his previous involvement, injury to right back Maxime Colin and the deployment of right back Nico Yennaris as a defensive midfielder saw Clarke embark on a run of 8 late-season appearances,[31][32] which took his tally for 2015–16 to 12.[25]

Breakthrough (2016–2018)

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On 29 June 2016, Clarke signed a new two-year contract.[33] He was an ever-present inclusion in matchday squads early in the 2016–17 season and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Reading on 27 September 2016.[34] He scored again five matches later, with the opener in a 2–0 West London derby victory over Queen's Park Rangers.[35] In mid-February 2017, he signed a new two-year contract extension.[36] After a period on the bench,[34] he broke back into the team late in the season and finished 2016–17 with 32 appearances and two goals.[35]

Clarke began the 2017–18 season down the pecking order on the right side of defence and midfield, but he started in Brentford's EFL Cup matches in the opening weeks of the campaign.[37] He scored his first goal of the season in the 4–1 EFL Cup second round victory over rivals Queens Park Rangers on 22 August 2017 and his performance was recognised with a place in the Team of the Round.[38][39] He scored two goals in two matches in mid-September, in a 1–1 league draw with Reading and a late consolation in a 3–1 EFL Cup third round defeat to Norwich City.[38] After showing his versatility playing at right back and on both wings so far during the season, Clarke then deputised at left back following a season-ending injury suffered by Rico Henry on 30 September.[40] Clarke's performances during the first half of the season were recognised with a nomination for EFL Player of the Year at the 2017–18 London Football Awards and he finished the campaign with 32 appearances and three goals.[38][41]

Later years (2018–2020)

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Manager Dean Smith's decision to establish a leadership group and appoint matchday captains during the 2018–19 season led to Clarke wearing the captain's armband for the first time in his Brentford career during a 1–0 EFL Cup second round victory over Cheltenham Town on 28 August 2018.[42][43] Well down the pecking order, Clarke made just three appearances before joining League One club Burton Albion on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season on 11 January 2019.[44] Either side of an ankle injury,[45] he made just six appearances during his spell.[46]

Well-down the pecking order, injury-troubled and having made just two appearances so far during the 2019–20 season,[47][48] Clarke was made available for transfer during the winter transfer window in January 2020.[49] On the final day of the window, his contract was terminated by mutual consent.[50] Clarke made 84 appearances and scored five goals during 7+1⁄2-years as a professional at Griffin Park.[51]

Wigan Athletic

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On 11 September 2020, Clarke signed a one-month contract with newly-relegated League One club Wigan Athletic.[52] A hamstring injury saw him fail to win a call into a matchday squad and his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 5 October.[53][54]

Leyton Orient (trial)

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In July 2021, Clarke signed a short-term contract as a trialist with League Two club Leyton Orient and he appeared in all but one of the club's 2021–22 pre-season friendlies.[51][55][56][57][58][59][60]

Dartford

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In mid-November 2021, Clarke signed a contract with National League South club Dartford.[61] He made 10 appearances before departing the club in February 2022, in order "to focus on resolving some injury issues and getting fit for next season".[62] He was a part of the team which emerged victorious in the delayed 2020 Kent Senior Cup Final, played on 24 November 2021.[63]

Career statistics

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As of match played 29 January 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Brentford 2013–14[12] League One 1 0 0 0 1 0 1[a] 0 3 0
2015–16[25] Championship 11 0 0 0 1 0 — 12 0
2016–17[35] Championship 30 2 1 0 1 0 — 32 2
2017–18[38] Championship 28 1 1 0 3 2 — 32 3
2018–19[46] Championship 1 0 0 0 2 0 — 3 0
2019–20[48] Championship 1 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 0
Total 72 3 2 0 9 2 1 0 84 5
Carshalton Athletic (loan) 2012–13[9] Isthmian League Premier Division 17 1 — — — 17 1
Maidenhead United (loan) 2013–14[15] Conference South 2 0 — — — 2 0
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2014–15[64] League Two 0 0 — — — 0 0
Stevenage (loan) 2014–15[64] League Two 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Barnet (loan) 2015–16[25] League Two 10 3 0 0 — — 10 3
Burton Albion (loan) 2018–19[46] League One 6 0 — — — 6 0
Dartford 2021–22[15] National League South 5 0 — — 5[b] 0 10 0
Career total 113 7 2 0 9 2 6 0 130 9
  1. ^ 1 appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ 3 appearances in FA Trophy, 1 appearance in Kent Senior Cup, 1 appearance in London Senior Cup

Honours

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Dartford

References

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  1. ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Brentford" (PDF). English Football League. p. 8. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Josh Clarke". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  3. ^ "Josh Clarke – Player Profile – Football". Eurosport UK. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Josh Clarke – Midfielder – First Team". Brentford FC. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  5. ^ "'Wonderful' Feeling For Josh". Brentfordfc.com. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Appearances & Goals". Middlesex Schools Football Association. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  7. ^ "Young loan players return". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Mawson Back at Maidenhead". Brentfordfc.com. 20 February 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Iron Take Clarke on Loan". Nonleague.pitchero.com. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  10. ^ Carshalton Athletic F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  11. ^ "Academy contracts". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  13. ^ "Josh Clarke Returns". Brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  14. ^ "Loan Round-Up". Brentfordfc.com. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  15. ^ a b c d Josh Clarke at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  16. ^ "2013/14 Brentford Development Squad stats". Brentfordfc.com. 31 May 2014. Archived from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Josh Clarke Promoted To First Team". Brentfordfc.com. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  18. ^ "Brentford 1 Preston North End 0". Brentford FC. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Winger Josh Clarke signs new Brentford FC deal". Brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  20. ^ Brett, Ciaran. "Josh Clarke moves to Dagenham & Redbridge on loan". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Josh Clarke". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  22. ^ Wickham, Chris. "Josh Clarke loan spell ends". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  23. ^ Brett, Ciaran. "2014/15 Development Squad Stats". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  24. ^ Brett, Ciaran. "Josh Clarke feels he needs to work hard to fulfil potential and emulate Moses Odubajo". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  26. ^ "Matchday Centre: Oxford United". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  27. ^ "Injury update". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Josh Clarke Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  29. ^ "Brentford right back Josh Clarke joins Sky Bet League Two Barnet on loan". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  30. ^ "Josh Clarke returns from Barnet loan spell". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  31. ^ Long, Dan (8 April 2016). "Brentford star believes he is over his injury woes and eyes strong end to a tumultuous season". getwestlondon. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  32. ^ Moore, Tom (6 May 2016). "Dean Smith offers outline of Brentford's summer transfer plans". getwestlondon. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  33. ^ "Josh Clarke signs new two-year deal with Brentford FC". Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  34. ^ a b "Josh Clarke Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  35. ^ a b c "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  36. ^ "Brentford youngster Josh Clarke signs new contract at Griffin Park". Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  37. ^ "Josh Clarke Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  38. ^ a b c d "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  39. ^ "Carabao Cup: Team of the Round". EFL Official Website. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  40. ^ "Clarke looks back on 2017/18". Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  41. ^ "Daniel Bentley wins London Football Awards prize". Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  42. ^ "Dean Smith updates on Brentford captaincy". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  43. ^ "Watch: Josh Clarke's Cheltenham Town reaction". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  44. ^ "Josh Clarke joins Burton Albion on loan". www.brentfordfc.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  45. ^ "Reece Cole nets dramatic equaliser in Cheshire Derby". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  46. ^ a b c "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  47. ^ "Grady Diangana to miss West Brom's clash with Brentford". Evening Express. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  48. ^ a b "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  49. ^ Thomas, Lyall (31 December 2019). "Brentford will listen to offers for Clarke and Field". West London Sport. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  50. ^ "Josh Clarke departs". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  51. ^ a b Josh Clarke at Soccerbase  
  52. ^ "Defender Josh Clarke has joined Wigan Athletic on a short term contract ahead of the opening game of the Sky Bet League One season". Wigan Athletic FC. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  53. ^ "Wigan Athletic defender KO". www.wigantoday.net. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  54. ^ "Viv Solomon-Otabor and Dan Gardner extend Latics contracts". www.wiganathletic.com. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  55. ^ "Match Report: Leyton Orient 0–0 West Ham". Leyton Orient FC. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  56. ^ "Match Report: Leyton Orient 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur". Leyton Orient FC. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  57. ^ "Match report: Maidenhead United 1–2 Leyton Orient". Leyton Orient FC. 24 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  58. ^ "Report: Dulwich Hamlet 1–1 Leyton Orient XI". Leyton Orient FC. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  59. ^ "Report: Leyton Orient 2–0 Gillingham". Leyton Orient FC. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  60. ^ "Report: Heybridge Swifts 1–2 Leyton Orient XI". Leyton Orient FC. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
  61. ^ "Darts wary of an upset". Kent Online. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  62. ^ "Match Preview | Dartford v Brentford B London Senior Cup". Dartford Football Club Official Website. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  63. ^ a b Palmer, Chris. "Dartford 6 Whitstable Town 1" (PDF). Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  64. ^ a b "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
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