Josh Clarke (footballer)

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 product of the Brentford youth system and made over 80 appearances for the club.

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[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)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:59, 5 October 2020 (UTC)

Career

Early years (2011–2015)

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] He progressed from the youth team to the Development Squad and signed a one-year professional contract for the 2013–14 season.[7]

Clarke made his first team debut in a 5–0 League Cup second round defeat at Derby County in August 2013, playing the full 90 minutes.[8] His second appearance came in a 2–1 Football League Trophy defeat to Peterborough United on 8 October, when he replaced Martin Fillo after 47 minutes.[8] After finishing the 2013–14 season as the leading appearance-maker in the Development Squad,[9] Clarke was promoted into the first team squad for the remainder of the League One season on 16 April 2014.[10] With promotion to the Championship secured,[11] 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.[8]

Clarke signed a new a one-year contract on 9 June 2014,[12] but failed to feature at all in the first team during the 2014–15 season.[13] He made 19 Development Squad appearances during the season and moved from right wing to right back and impressed sufficiently to sign a new one-year extension in late June 2015.[14][15]

Breakthrough (2015–2018)

Clarke made his first senior 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.[16][17] An injury crisis saw him keep his place in the squad throughout August and September and he made three further appearances before departing on loan in October 2015.[18][19][20] 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,[21][22] which took his tally for 2015–16 to 12.[16]

On 29 June 2016, Clarke signed a new two-year contract.[23] 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.[24] He scored again five matches later, with the opener in a 2–0 West London derby victory over Queen's Park Rangers.[25] In mid-February 2017, he signed a new two-year contract extension, which will keep him at Griffin Park until the end of the 2019–20 season.[26] After a period on the bench,[24] he broke back into the team late in the season and finished 2016–17 with 32 appearances and two goals.[25]

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.[27] 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.[28][29] 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.[28] After a season-ending injury suffered by Rico Henry on 30 September, Clarke deputised at left back, after showing his versatility playing at right back and on both wings so far during the season.[30] 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.[28][31]

Later years (2018–2020)

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.[32][33] Well down the pecking order, Clarke made just three appearances before leaving on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season in January 2019.[34]

Well-down the pecking order, injury-troubled and having made just two appearances so far during the 2019–20 season,[35][36] Clarke was made available for transfer in January 2020.[37] On the final day of the transfer window, his contract was terminated by mutual consent.[38] He made 84 appearances and scored five goals for the club.[39]

Carshalton Athletic (loans)

In December 2012, Clarke moved to Isthmian League Premier Division club Carshalton Athletic on a work experience loan deal and scored on his debut.[40] Clarke returned to Griffin Park in January 2013 after making seven appearances,[41] but re-signed for the Robins the following month and remained with the club for the rest of the season.[40][42] He made 17 appearances and scored one goal in a season to forget for the club,[43] in which it narrowly avoided relegation.[44]

Maidenhead United (loan)

Clarke moved to Conference South club Maidenhead United on a one-month loan on 4 December 2013.[45] He made his debut in a 3–2 defeat to Sutton United on 7 December, replacing Michael Malcolm after an hour.[46] Clarke's spell at Maidenhead was hit by postponements due to the weather and he returned to Brentford on 6 January 2014, after making just two appearances.[47]

Braintree Town (loan)

On 17 February 2014, Clarke joined Conference Premier club Braintree Town on a one-month loan.[43] He failed to win a call into a squad and returned to Brentford when his loan expired.[46][48]

Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)

Clarke joined League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge on a 28-day youth loan on 22 August 2014.[49] His only involvement with the first team came when he was an unused substitute during the following day's match versus Mansfield Town.[13] Failure to recover from a thigh injury saw Clarke return to Brentford when his loan expired.[50]

Stevenage (loan)

Clarke joined League Two club Stevenage on a one-month youth loan on 17 October 2014.[51] After just one substitute appearance and two further unused substitute appearances,[13] Clarke was left out of the squad altogether and returned to Brentford when his loan expired.[52]

Barnet (loan)

On 15 October 2015, Clarke joined League Two club Barnet on loan until 3 January 2016.[20] He made a dream start to his time at The Hive, scoring three goals in his first four matches.[16] On 28 November, Clarke received the first red card of his career for two bookable offences during the first half of a 3–1 defeat to Mansfield Town.[53] After serving his suspension, he made two further appearances before suffering a hamstring injury.[54][55] Clarke returned to Brentford when his loan expired,[56] having made 10 appearances and scored three goals.[16]

Burton Albion (loan)

On 11 January 2019, Clarke joined League One club Burton Albion on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season.[34] Either side of an ankle injury,[57] he made just six appearances during his spell.[58]

Wigan Athletic

On 11 September 2020, Clarke signed a one-month contract with newly-relegated League One club Wigan Athletic.[59] A hamstring injury saw him fail to win a call into a first team squad and his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 5 October.[60][61]

Career statistics
As of match played 13 September 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brentford 2013–14[8] League One 1000101[lower-alpha 1]030
2015–16[16] Championship 11 0 0 0 1 0 — 12 0
2016–17[25] 30 2 1 0 1 0 — 32 2
2017–18[28] 28 1 1 0 3 2 — 32 3
2018–19[58] 1 0 0 0 2 0 — 3 0
2019–20[36] 1 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 0
Total 723209210845
Carshalton Athletic (loan) 2012–13[43] Isthmian League Premier Division 17 1 — — — 17 1
Maidenhead United (loan) 2013–14[46] Conference South 20———20
Dagenham & Redbridge (loan) 2014–15[62] League Two 00———00
Stevenage (loan) 2014–15[62] League Two 100 0——10
Barnet (loan) 2015–16[16] League Two 10 3 0 0 — — 10 3
Burton Albion (loan) 2018–19[58] League One 6 0 — — — 6 0
Career total 10872092101209
  1. Appearance in Football League Trophy

References
  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.co.uk. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  6. "Appearances & Goals – Middlesex Schools Football Association". google.com. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  7. "Academy contracts". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  8. "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  9. "2013/14 Brentford Development Squad stats". Brentfordfc.co.uk. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  10. "Josh Clarke Promoted To First Team". Brentfordfc.co.uk. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  11. "Brentford 1 Preston North End 0 – News". Brentford FC. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  12. "Winger Josh Clarke signs new Brentford FC deal". Brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  13. "Josh Clarke". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  14. Brett, Ciaran. "2014/15 Development Squad Stats". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  15. Brett, Ciaran. "Josh Clarke feels he needs to work hard to fulfil potential and emulate Moses Odubajo". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  16. "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  17. "Matchday Centre: Oxford United". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  18. "Injury update". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  19. "Josh Clarke Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
  20. "Brentford right back Josh Clarke joins Sky Bet League Two Barnet on loan". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  21. 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.
  22. Moore, Tom (6 May 2016). "Dean Smith offers outline of Brentford's summer transfer plans". getwestlondon. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  23. "Josh Clarke signs new two-year deal with Brentford FC". Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  24. "Josh Clarke Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  25. "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  26. "Brentford youngster Josh Clarke signs new contract at Griffin Park". Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  27. "Josh Clarke Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  28. "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  29. "Carabao Cup: Team of the Round". EFL Official Website. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  30. "Clarke looks back on 2017/18". Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  31. "Daniel Bentley wins London Football Awards prize". Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  32. "Dean Smith updates on Brentford captaincy". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  33. "Watch: Josh Clarke's Cheltenham Town reaction". Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  34. "Josh Clarke joins Burton Albion on loan". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  35. "Grady Diangana to miss West Brom's clash with Brentford". Evening Express. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  36. "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  37. Thomas, Lyall (31 December 2019). "Brentford will listen to offers for Clarke and Field". West London Sport. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
  38. "Josh Clarke departs". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  39. Josh Clarke at Soccerbase
  40. "Mawson Back at Maidenhead". Brentfordfc.co.uk. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  41. "Young loan players return". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  42. "Loan Round-Up". Brentfordfc.co.uk. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  43. "Iron Take Clarke on Loan". Nonleague.pitchero.com. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  44. Carshalton Athletic F.C. at the Football Club History Database
  45. Murtagh, Jacob (4 December 2013). "Brentford winger leaves on loan". Get West London. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  46. Josh Clarke at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  47. "Josh Clarke Returns". Brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  48. "Loan Round-Up". Brentfordfc.co.uk. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  49. Brett, Ciaran. "Josh Clarke Dagenham & Redbridge". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  50. Wickham, Chris. "Josh Clarke loan spell ends". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  51. Brett, Ciaran. "Charlie Adams and Josh Clarke join Stevenage". brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  52. "Charlie Adams remains at Stevenage while Josh Clarke returns". Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  53. "Barnet v Mansfield Town". BBC. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  54. "Josh Clarke Player Profile". ESPN FC. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  55. "Clarke returns to Brentford after completing Barnet loan spell". Times Series. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  56. "Josh Clarke returns from Barnet loan spell". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  57. "Reece Cole nets dramatic equaliser in Cheshire Derby". www.brentfordfc.com. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  58. "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  59. "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. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  60. "Wigan Athletic defender KO". www.wigantoday.net. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  61. "Viv Solomon-Otabor and Dan Gardner extend Latics contracts". www.wiganathletic.com. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  62. "Games played by Josh Clarke in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
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