Ryan Clarke
Encyclopedia
Ryan James Clarke is an English footballer who plays for Oxford United
as a goalkeeper. He previously trained with the England under-18
squad in La Manga
.
, Clarke started his career with Football League One
side Bristol Rovers
, where he also had spells on loan at Kidderminster Harriers
, Southend United
and Forest Green Rovers
.
from Bristol Rovers in August 2006 he became their first-choice goalkeeper and played 106 games in the next two seasons, playing a huge part in Salisbury's success in the following seasons.
In the summer of 2008, he broke a metatarsal while on holiday. This setback lead to James Bittner claiming the number one shirt from him, and Clark was then loaned out to Northwich Victoria
to reduce the club's wage bill.
on 26 May 2009. He was their regular goalkeeper in the 2009–10
campaign and, despite his scoring an own goal in the 2010 Conference National play-off Final
against York City
on 16 May, his Oxford side still secured a return to the Football League after a four-year exile as 3–1 winners. At the end of the season, Clarke was voted Player of the Year by the Oxford supporters for his feats between the posts.
On 12 January 2011, Oxford United announced that Clarke had signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract, meaning he will stay at the club until 2014.
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
as a goalkeeper. He previously trained with the England under-18
England national under-18 football team
-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Slovakia.-Recent call-ups:The following players have also been called up to the England under-18 squad and remain eligible.-References:...
squad in La Manga
La Manga
La Manga , or La Manga del Mar Menor is a seaside spit in the Region of Murcia, Spain.The strip is 22 km long and 100 metres wide , separating the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor lagoon, from Cabo de Palos to the Punta del Mojón.Historically, it was known by the Romans as Palus and...
.
Bristol Rovers
Born in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, Clarke started his career with Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, where he also had spells on loan at 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...
, Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
and Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
.
Salisbury City
Having joined Salisbury CitySalisbury City F.C.
Salisbury City Football Club is an English football club based in Salisbury, Wiltshire currently playing in the Conference South. They were formed in 1947 and play at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium...
from Bristol Rovers in August 2006 he became their first-choice goalkeeper and played 106 games in the next two seasons, playing a huge part in Salisbury's success in the following seasons.
In the summer of 2008, he broke a metatarsal while on holiday. This setback lead to James Bittner claiming the number one shirt from him, and Clark was then loaned out to Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
to reduce the club's wage bill.
Oxford United
Clarke joined Oxford UnitedOxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
on 26 May 2009. He was their regular goalkeeper in the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
campaign and, despite his scoring an own goal in the 2010 Conference National play-off Final
2010 Conference National play-off Final
The 2010 Conference National play-off Final, known as the 2010 Blue Square Premier play-off Final for sponsorship purposes, was a football match between Oxford United and York City on 16 May 2010 at Wembley Stadium in London. It was the eighth Conference National play-off Final and the fourth to be...
against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
on 16 May, his Oxford side still secured a return to the Football League after a four-year exile as 3–1 winners. At the end of the season, Clarke was voted Player of the Year by the Oxford supporters for his feats between the posts.
On 12 January 2011, Oxford United announced that Clarke had signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract, meaning he will stay at the club until 2014.