John Clark (footballer born 1964)
Encyclopedia
John Clark is a Scottish
former footballer
who played most prominently for Dundee United
. He scored for the club in the 1987 UEFA Cup Final
, but was unable to prevent their defeat to IFK Goteborg
of Sweden
in that game.
, but didn't make enough appearances to pick up a medal. By 1986-87
, Clark was covering for Paul Hegarty
at centre-half for a good part of the season, earning a starting role for much of the UEFA Cup
run, and scored four goals on the way to the Final, including the decisive header in the Camp Nou
and his strike in the final at Tannadice
. Clark became a regular in defence during the late 80s and early 90s but left for Stoke City in 1994, just missing out on a Scottish Cup
winner's medal. Clark's time at Stoke was brief and he returned to Scotland with Dunfermline
before winding up his senior career with Berwick Rangers
. Clark then moved into lower league football with Gala Fairydean
where he became player-manager, before becoming manager with Whitehill Welfare
in 2004.
During his playing career, Clark won three Scottish Cup runners-up medals and a UEFA Cup runners-up medal.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
former footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played most prominently for Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
. He scored for the club in the 1987 UEFA Cup Final
1987 UEFA Cup Final
The 1987 UEFA Cup Final was a football tie played on 6 May 1987 between IFK Göteborg of Sweden and Dundee United F.C. of Scotland. Göteborg won 2–1 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second leg:-References:**...
, but was unable to prevent their defeat to IFK Goteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
of Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
in that game.
Career
Starting off as a centre-forward, Clark made his way into Dundee United's first team during the League-winning campaign of 1982-831982-83 in Scottish football
The 1982–83 season was the 86th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:In a tightly fought contest Dundee United win their first and only title this season. The league remains undecided until the last day of the season with Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United in contention...
, but didn't make enough appearances to pick up a medal. By 1986-87
1986-87 in Scottish football
The 1986–87 season was the 90th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:In the first full season under the management of player-manager Graeme Souness, Rangers won their first league title since 1978, and also won the League Cup....
, Clark was covering for Paul Hegarty
Paul Hegarty
Paul Anthony "Heggie" Hegarty is a Scottish former football player, who was captain of Dundee United during their most successful era in the 1970s and 1980s and won eight international caps for Scotland...
at centre-half for a good part of the season, earning a starting role for much of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
run, and scored four goals on the way to the Final, including the decisive header in the Camp Nou
Camp Nou
Camp Nou , sometimes called "the Nou Camp" in English, is a football stadium in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The stadium, located in the west of the city, has been the home of FC Barcelona since its construction in 1957....
and his strike in the final at Tannadice
Tannadice Park
Tannadice Park, usually referred to as Tannadice, is a football stadium located on Tannadice Street in the Scottish city of Dundee. The stadium is home of Dundee United F.C. and has a capacity of 14,209.-Early days :...
. Clark became a regular in defence during the late 80s and early 90s but left for Stoke City in 1994, just missing out on a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
winner's medal. Clark's time at Stoke was brief and he returned to Scotland with Dunfermline
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
before winding up his senior career with Berwick Rangers
Berwick Rangers F.C.
Berwick Rangers Football Club are a football team based in the English Border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, although they play in the Scottish Football League Third Division...
. Clark then moved into lower league football with Gala Fairydean
Gala Fairydean F.C.
Gala Fairydean F.C. is a football club currently playing in Division 1 of the East of Scotland Football League.- History :Founded in 1907 as the result of a split in the Gala Fairydean Rovers club into Gala Fairydean and Gala Rovers, they play their home matches at the Netherdale ground in Galashiels...
where he became player-manager, before becoming manager with Whitehill Welfare
Whitehill Welfare F.C.
Whitehill Welfare F.C. are a football club currently playing in the East of Scotland Football League. Founded in 1953, they play their home matches at Ferguson Park in the village of Rosewell....
in 2004.
During his playing career, Clark won three Scottish Cup runners-up medals and a UEFA Cup runners-up medal.
Dundee United
- Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Runner-up: 3
-
- 1986-871986-87 in Scottish footballThe 1986–87 season was the 90th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:In the first full season under the management of player-manager Graeme Souness, Rangers won their first league title since 1978, and also won the League Cup....
, 1987-881987-88 in Scottish footballThe 1987–88 season was the 91st season of competitive football in Scotland.-Notable events:Billy McNeill's second spell back in charge of Celtic began in style as they finished the season by winning the double of the league title and Scottish Cup...
, 1990-911990-91 in Scottish footballThe 1990–91 season was the 94th season of competitive football in Scotland. It was notable for the fact that there was a last day title decider at Ibrox between Rangers and Aberdeen. Both teams went into the match level on points and goal difference, but Rangers needed to win the match...
- UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
Runner-up: 1
- UEFA Cup
- 1986-87
- 1986-87