George Clarke (footballer, born 1900)

George B. Clarke[1] (24 July 1900 – 11 February 1977)[1] was an English professional footballer, who played as an outside left in the Football League for Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Queens Park Rangers. He also played non-league football for Mansfield Town and Folkestone.

For the footballer, born 1894 (Stoke City), see George Clarke (footballer, born 1894)

George Clarke
Personal information
Date of birth (1900-07-24)24 July 1900
Place of birth Bolsover, England
Date of death 11 February 1977(1977-02-11) (aged 76)
Position(s) Outside left
Youth career
?–1922 Mansfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1922–1925 Aston Villa 1[1] (?)
1925–1933 Crystal Palace 274 (98)
1933–1934 Queens Park Rangers ? (?)
1934–? Folkestone ? (?)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Clarke began his playing career with Mansfield Town, at that time a non-league team, having previously worked as a miner at Welbeck Colliery.[1] In 1922, Aston Villa paid £500 to sign him but his sole Villa appearance was not made until February 1925, and in May 1925, he was signed by former Aston Villa reserve player and then Crystal Palace manager, Edmund Goodman.[1] In his first season with Crystal Palace, Clarke missed only one game and remained a fixture in the side for the next seven seasons.[1] His 98 goals, as a winger, for Palace has only been exceeded by central strikers,[2] but his main contribution was as a creator of scoring chances;[3] supplying opportunities for the main strikers, particularly Peter Simpson.[3]

In the 1933 close season, Clarke moved to Queens Park Rangers but remained there for only one season, before moving into non-league football with Folkestone.[1]

George Clarke died on 11 February 1977 aged 76.[1]

References
  1. Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 68. ISBN 0907969542.
  2. Ian King (April 2012). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–2011. The Derby Books Publishing Company. p. 136. ISBN 9781780910468.
  3. Ian King (April 2012). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–2011. The Derby Books Publishing Company. p. 137. ISBN 9781780910468.
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