Jamie McClen
Encyclopedia
James David "Jamie" McClen (born May 13, 1979 in Cramlington
, Northumberland
) is a professional English
football player who plays
as a defender
or midfielder
.
He attended St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School
in Bedlington
, Northumberland
. He honed his footballing skills at the youth academy of Newcastle United
at the age of 10 after being spotted whilst playing for Cramlington Juniors.
under the management of Ruud Gullit
. Gullit offered McClen a long term deal which was promptly signed. He drifted out of the first team picture for a few years only to get a break in the team when injuries took their toll on Newcastle. McClen took his chance including a goal against Peterborough United
in the FA Cup
, going on to make 10 more appearances in the 2001–02 season, including a display alongside Clarence Acuna
against Arsenal
in the FA Cup. McClen's performances that season, in which Newcastle finished 4th earned him another long term deal which was promptly signed. However McClen struggled to retain his place in the first team before eventually being released in 2005 to Carlisle United
.
McClen's spell at Carlisle only lasted a few months before he was released. He then went to Blyth Spartans
on a short term basis. He returned to the Football League to join Shrewsbury Town
, but the manager expressed his concerns over McClen's fitness levels and he was once again released from his contract. In June 2006 he signed a 12-month contract with Kidderminster Harriers
of the Football Conference
. On November 3, 2006 McClen returned to the North East to play for Bedlington Terriers
on loan.
McClen was released by Kidderminster in January 2007 and signed for Hamilton Academical
until the end of the season. However, he was released in March 2007.
On August 2007, McClen joined Northern Premier League
outfit Gateshead
ahead of the 2007-08 season
. January 2008 saw McClen join Newcastle Blue Star
on loan until the end of the season. The move became permanent at the start of the 2008–09 season.
After Newcastle Blue Star dissolved, McClen joined Morpeth Town
, before trail with Thai Premier League side Pattaya United F.C. in January 2010. McClen opted to stay in his native north east as he has a young family.
Cramlington
Cramlington is a town and civil parish in the county of Northumberland, North East England, situated north of the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The town's name suggests a probable founding by the Danes or an Anglo-Saxon origin, the word "ton" meaning town. The population was estimated as 39,000 in...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
) is a professional English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
football player who plays
Football (soccer) positions
In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These...
as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
or midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
.
He attended St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School
St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School
St. Benet Biscop High School is a renowned Roman Catholic selective high school in Bedlington, Northumberland. It is the only Catholic high school in the county...
in Bedlington
Bedlington
Bedlington is a town in Northumberland, to the north of the Tyne and Wear urban area. It lies north of Newcastle and southeast of the county town of Morpeth. Other nearby places include Ashington to the north northeast, Blyth to the east and Cramlington to the south.The parish of Bedlington...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. He honed his footballing skills at the youth academy of Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
at the age of 10 after being spotted whilst playing for Cramlington Juniors.
Playing career
McClen debuted for Newcastle in 1999 against Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
under the management of Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit
OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...
. Gullit offered McClen a long term deal which was promptly signed. He drifted out of the first team picture for a few years only to get a break in the team when injuries took their toll on Newcastle. McClen took his chance including a goal against Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, going on to make 10 more appearances in the 2001–02 season, including a display alongside Clarence Acuna
Clarence Acuña
Clárence Williams Acuña Donoso is a Chilean former professional football player. He played as a midfielder.- Chilean League :...
against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the FA Cup. McClen's performances that season, in which Newcastle finished 4th earned him another long term deal which was promptly signed. However McClen struggled to retain his place in the first team before eventually being released in 2005 to Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
.
McClen's spell at Carlisle only lasted a few months before he was released. He then went to Blyth Spartans
Blyth Spartans A.F.C.
Blyth Spartans A.F.C. are a professional football club who play in the Conference North, and are based in the town of Blyth, Northumberland, England. They are often the most Northerly team in whichever league or cup they are playing in. They are managed by former Spartans player Steve Cuggy.They...
on a short term basis. He returned to the Football League to join Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
, but the manager expressed his concerns over McClen's fitness levels and he was once again released from his contract. In June 2006 he signed a 12-month contract with Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
of the Football Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
. On November 3, 2006 McClen returned to the North East to play for Bedlington Terriers
Bedlington Terriers F.C.
Bedlington Terriers F.C. are a football club based in Bedlington, England. They were established in 1949 and joined the Northern Alliance in 1980 and joined the Northern League when it expanded to two divisions 3 years later...
on loan.
McClen was released by Kidderminster in January 2007 and signed for Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
until the end of the season. However, he was released in March 2007.
On August 2007, McClen joined Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
outfit Gateshead
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
ahead of the 2007-08 season
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
. January 2008 saw McClen join Newcastle Blue Star
Newcastle Blue Star F.C.
Newcastle Blue Star F.C. was a football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It was established in 1930 and joined the Wearside League in 1973. In 1978, it won the FA Vase. Having won promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division at the end of the 2008/09 season via the...
on loan until the end of the season. The move became permanent at the start of the 2008–09 season.
After Newcastle Blue Star dissolved, McClen joined Morpeth Town
Morpeth Town A.F.C.
Morpeth Town A.F.C. is a football club based in Morpeth in Northumberland, England. Their home ground is Craik Park in Morpeth, which has a 400m cinder track running around the edge of the pitch. The stadium has a small stand with 100 seats. The clubs traditional colours are amber and black...
, before trail with Thai Premier League side Pattaya United F.C. in January 2010. McClen opted to stay in his native north east as he has a young family.