Ciaran Clark
Encyclopedia
Ciaran Clark is an English-born Irish
professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Aston Villa
and the Republic of Ireland national football team
. Clark is naturally a central defender
, but has been used as a central midfielder
and a left-back by ex Villa manager Gérard Houllier
where he has established himself in the team.
Clark captained England
at under-18 and under-19 level, but in October 2010 declared his ambition to play for the Republic of Ireland. He was called up to the national team a month later for the friendly match against Norway
, and made his full debut against Wales
on 8 February 2011.
after joining at the age of eleven. He captained the academy U-18 team to the 2007–08 Premier Academy League, the academy's maiden league title. He was given a squad number for the 2008–09 season and named on the bench for Villa's 2008–09 UEFA Cup match away at CSKA Moscow, but remained an unused substitute. He captained the reserves to the Premier Reserve League South title and defeated PRL North winners Sunderland in the play-off final to win their first ever Reserve League trophy.
. On 30 August 2009, he made his debut in a 2–0 win against Fulham
. With Curtis Davies
unavailable through injury, the nineteen-year-old was named in Villa's starting line-up, partnering Carlos Cuéllar
in defence. He helped keep a clean sheet and nearly marked his debut with a goal but sent his header inches wide. Garth Crooks
of the BBC
named the youngster in his Team of the week. Although the formidable partnership of new signings James Collins and Richard Dunne
limited him to the bench, he was tipped to break into the first team on a regular basis within several years. In November 2009, he signed a contract extension until 2012.
Clark's second appearance in an Aston Villa shirt came at Villa Park as the home side beat Brighton and Hove Albion
3–2 in the 2009-10 FA Cup.
's first match as new Villa manager, against Blackburn Rovers
in the League Cup
. He then started the match against local rivals Birmingham City
in midfield and continued in the role against Fulham
and Blackpool
due to the club's injury crisis. On 27 November 2010, Clark scored his first two goals for the club in a 4-2 defeat against Arsenal
at home. He scored a 91st minute equaliser against Chelsea on 2 January 2011 to rescue a point. Clark scored his first FA Cup goal for the club against Blackburn Rovers on 29 January 2011.
team through qualification for the 2008 European Championships
, playing in five out of the six qualifiers and scoring a goal. He missed out on the tournament through an ankle injury sustained during training. After being promoted to the England U-20's
, he was appointed captain and scored in only his second match, in a friendly against Italy on March 2008.
(FAI) officials approached Clark about switching his allegiance. They sent scout
and former Republic of Ireland under-21 manager, Don Givens
, to watch him in the match against Blackburn.
On 5 October 2010, it was reported that Clark had pledged his international future to the Irish national team as he qualified through his Irish mother. Richard Dunne
played a role in convincing him and had spoken to FAI scouts about his eligibility.
On 12 November 2010, Clark was named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway
. He then made his debut on the 8 February 2011 against Wales
at the Aviva Stadium
.
As of 31 August 2011
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
and the Republic of Ireland national football team
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. Clark is naturally a central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, but has been used as a central 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...
and a left-back by ex Villa manager Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
where he has established himself in the team.
Clark captained England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at under-18 and under-19 level, but in October 2010 declared his ambition to play for the Republic of Ireland. He was called up to the national team a month later for the friendly match against Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
, and made his full debut against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
on 8 February 2011.
Early career
Although born in London and growing up in Sandy, Clark came through the Aston Villa youth academyAston Villa F.C. Reserves and Academy
Aston Villa Reserves are the reserve team of Aston Villa, they have been part of the FA Premier Reserve League since its foundation in 1999 and are current holders of the Premier Reserve League South title. The team plays its home games at Villa Park - during the months of Autumn and Spring - and...
after joining at the age of eleven. He captained the academy U-18 team to the 2007–08 Premier Academy League, the academy's maiden league title. He was given a squad number for the 2008–09 season and named on the bench for Villa's 2008–09 UEFA Cup match away at CSKA Moscow, but remained an unused substitute. He captained the reserves to the Premier Reserve League South title and defeated PRL North winners Sunderland in the play-off final to win their first ever Reserve League trophy.
2009–10 season
Clark was included in the squads for the preseason friendlies and the 2009 Peace Cup2009 Peace Cup
The 2009 Peace Cup Andalucia was an invitational friendly football tournament. It was the 4th edition of Peace Cup and was held in Spain from 24 July to 2 August in the cities of Madrid, Seville, Málaga, Jerez and Huelva. It was the first time that the tournament has been hosted by a nation other...
. On 30 August 2009, he made his debut in a 2–0 win against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. With Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
unavailable through injury, the nineteen-year-old was named in Villa's starting line-up, partnering Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Javier Cuéllar Jiménez is a Spanish footballer who plays for Aston Villa. He is primarily a central defender, but can also operate as a right-back.-Early career:...
in defence. He helped keep a clean sheet and nearly marked his debut with a goal but sent his header inches wide. Garth Crooks
Garth Crooks
Garth Anthony Crooks OBE is a retired English football player of Jamaican ancestry. He played principally for Stoke City and Tottenham, with whom he was a prolific goal scorer and an FA Cup winner at Wembley in 1981...
of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
named the youngster in his Team of the week. Although the formidable partnership of new signings James Collins and Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne
Richard Patrick Dunne is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.Dunne began his professional career at Everton...
limited him to the bench, he was tipped to break into the first team on a regular basis within several years. In November 2009, he signed a contract extension until 2012.
Clark's second appearance in an Aston Villa shirt came at Villa Park as the home side beat Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
3–2 in the 2009-10 FA Cup.
2010–11 season
Clark started in the first two league games of the 2010–11 season: against West Ham United, partnering Richard Dunne and keeping a clean sheet; then against Newcastle United. Clark also was handed a start in Gerard HoullierGérard Houllier
Gérard Houllier, OBE , is a French football manager, who was last manager of Premier League club Aston Villa. He stepped down on 1 June 2011, following hospitalisation over heart problems towards the end of the 2010-2011 season....
's first match as new Villa manager, against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
. He then started the match against local rivals Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
in midfield and continued in the role against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
and Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
due to the club's injury crisis. On 27 November 2010, Clark scored his first two goals for the club in a 4-2 defeat 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...
at home. He scored a 91st minute equaliser against Chelsea on 2 January 2011 to rescue a point. Clark scored his first FA Cup goal for the club against Blackburn Rovers on 29 January 2011.
England
Clark captained the England U-19England national under-19 football team
-Other matches:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the friendly match against Denmark.- Recent call-ups :The following players have also been called up to the England under-19 squad and remain eligible.-Past squads:...
team through qualification for the 2008 European Championships
2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship
The final tournament of the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship was the 24th UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, UEFA's premier competition for players under the age of 19. The tournament was held in the Czech Republic with matches played from 14 July to 26 July 2008. Players born...
, playing in five out of the six qualifiers and scoring a goal. He missed out on the tournament through an ankle injury sustained during training. After being promoted to the England U-20's
England national under-20 football team
- Round of 16 :-Friendlies:-Latest squad:The following players were named in the squad for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup running from 29 July to the 20 August 2011.-Recent call-ups:...
, he was appointed captain and scored in only his second match, in a friendly against Italy on March 2008.
Republic of Ireland
In late September 2010, Football Association of IrelandFootball Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
(FAI) officials approached Clark about switching his allegiance. They sent scout
Scout (association football)
A football scout attends football matches on the behalf of clubs to collect intelligence. Primarily, there are two types of scouts: player scouts and tactical scouts....
and former Republic of Ireland under-21 manager, Don Givens
Don Givens
Daniel Joseph "Don" Givens is a football player and coach, and former Republic of Ireland U21 team manager...
, to watch him in the match against Blackburn.
On 5 October 2010, it was reported that Clark had pledged his international future to the Irish national team as he qualified through his Irish mother. Richard Dunne
Richard Dunne
Richard Patrick Dunne is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland national football team. With Ireland he was a member of the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad and helped his team qualify for UEFA Euro 2012.Dunne began his professional career at Everton...
played a role in convincing him and had spoken to FAI scouts about his eligibility.
On 12 November 2010, Clark was named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
. He then made his debut on the 8 February 2011 against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
at the Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium
The Aviva Stadium is a sports stadium located in Dublin, Ireland, with a capacity for 50,000 spectators. The stadium is built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road venue, which was demolished in 2007, and replaces that stadium as home to its chief tenants: the Irish rugby union team and the...
.
Honours
- Premier Academy LeaguePremier Academy LeagueThe Premier Academy League is the top level of youth football in England. It is contested between the Academy sides of The Premier League and some Football League clubs, including Welsh side Cardiff City...
: Winner 2007-2008 - Peace CupPeace Cupthumb|right|400px|The opening ceremony of 2003 competitionThe Peace Cup is an invitational pre-season friendly football tournament for club teams, currently held every two years by the Sunmoon Peace Football Foundation. It is contested by the eight clubs from several continents, though 12 teams...
: Winner 2009 - Premier Reserve League: Winner 2008–2009, 2009–2010
Career statistics
| Aston Villa | Premier League | 1 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 1 !! 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 ! 25 !! 4 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - ! 3 !! 0 |
As of 31 August 2011
External links
- Profile on Aston Villa official website