Clark Masters
Encyclopedia
Clark John Masters is an English football goalkeeper. He is currently playing for Eastbourne Borough
.
Starting his career with Brentford
in 2004, he moved on to Southend United
four years later, and Aldershot Town
in 2009. He has had several loan spells at non-league clubs.
in Hastings
the same school that produced England
midfielder Gareth Barry
.
and Gillingham
, Masters started his senior career with Brentford
. In 2005 and 2006 he had loan spells with non-league clubs Redbridge
and Slough Town
. He signed professional forms with Brentford in June 2006.
He made his Brentford debut against Blackpool
in the first game of the 2006–07
season, stepping in for Stuart Nelson
, who was suspended. On his third appearance, a 2-2 draw with Gillingham
on 21 October, he was sent off for "denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity". Though the club successfully appealed the suspension. Rumours circulated that the young keeper would be signed up by Premier League side Arsenal
. In March 2007, Masters joined AFC Wimbledon
in a one-month loan deal. He played five games for the Dons, keeping two clean sheets, before being recalled by Brentford.
Signing a new two year deal in July 2007, he embarked on another loan spell the next month, this time with Welling United
. He played four games.
side Southend United
on 11 January 2008, and was immediately loaned out to Conference National
side Stevenage Borough
. He never played a competitive game for Southend, and had a trial with Grimsby Town
, in an attempt to find regular football.
on a one year deal, as a replacement for outgoing Nikki Bull
. On the 1st February, Masters was released by Aldershot Town and immediately signed for Conference National
side Hayes & Yeading United
.
on non-contract terms. He was injured while trialling with Millwall, but returned to action a few weeks later. He was Barrow's first-choice keeper for the remainder of the season. He left in May 2011, however, due to the travelling distance between his home and Barrow.
on the 16th June 2011.
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
.
Starting his career with Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
in 2004, he moved on to 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...
four years later, and Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
in 2009. He has had several loan spells at non-league clubs.
Early life
As a youngster, Masters attended William Parker SchoolWilliam Parker Sports College
The William Parker Sports College, formerly known as Hastings Grammar School, and later as William Parker School, is a secondary school in Hastings, East Sussex in the United Kingdom...
in Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
the same school that produced England
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
midfielder Gareth Barry
Gareth Barry
Gareth Barry is an English footballer who plays for Manchester City and the England national football team.Barry moved to Aston Villa from Brighton & Hove Albion as a youngster, and spent 12 years at the club. He captained Aston Villa, and, at the end of his career with the club, lay eighth in...
.
Brentford
After a youth career with Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton & 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....
and Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
, Masters started his senior career with Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
. In 2005 and 2006 he had loan spells with non-league clubs Redbridge
Redbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
and Slough Town
Slough Town F.C.
Slough Town F.C. is an English semi-professional football club. The club was officially founded in 1890 after the amalgamation of three local clubs, Swifts, Slough Albion and Young Men's Friendly Society, who between them forged a new club, Slough F.C....
. He signed professional forms with Brentford in June 2006.
He made his Brentford debut against 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...
in the first game of the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season, stepping in for Stuart Nelson
Stuart Nelson
Stuart James Nelson is an English footballer who plays for Notts County as a goalkeeper.-Career:Born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Nelson started his career at Cheltenham youth club FC Battledown. County Cup success led to him being spotted by Northern Premier League side Hucknall Town after a spell...
, who was suspended. On his third appearance, a 2-2 draw with Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
on 21 October, he was sent off for "denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity". Though the club successfully appealed the suspension. Rumours circulated that the young keeper would be signed up by Premier League side 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 March 2007, Masters joined AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon is a professional English football club that traces its origins to Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton. Based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston upon Thames, the club are members of Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football....
in a one-month loan deal. He played five games for the Dons, keeping two clean sheets, before being recalled by Brentford.
Signing a new two year deal in July 2007, he embarked on another loan spell the next month, this time with Welling United
Welling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
. He played four games.
Southend United
Masters joined Football League OneFootball 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 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...
on 11 January 2008, and was immediately loaned out to Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Stevenage Borough
Stevenage Borough F.C.
Stevenage Football Club is an English football club based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The club currently participate in League One, the third tier of English football, having won promotion from League Two in the 2010–11 season...
. He never played a competitive game for Southend, and had a trial with Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, in an attempt to find regular football.
Aldershot Town
In July 2009, Masters joined Aldershot TownAldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
on a one year deal, as a replacement for outgoing Nikki Bull
Nikki Bull
Nikki Bull is an English footballer who plays for Wycombe Wanderers as a goalkeeper. He has previously played for, most notably, Aldershot Town and also had spells at Queens Park Rangers and Hayes...
. On the 1st February, Masters was released by Aldershot Town and immediately signed for Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Hayes & Yeading United
Hayes & Yeading United F.C.
Hayes & Yeading United F.C. are an English football club based in Woking in Surrey. They were formed in May 2007 following a merger of Hayes and Yeading. They play at the Kingfield Stadium agreeing a groundshare with Woking-History:...
.
Barrow
On 5th Nov 2010, Masters joined BarrowBarrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
on non-contract terms. He was injured while trialling with Millwall, but returned to action a few weeks later. He was Barrow's first-choice keeper for the remainder of the season. He left in May 2011, however, due to the travelling distance between his home and Barrow.
Eastbourne Borough
Masters joined Eastbourne BoroughEastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
on the 16th June 2011.
External links
- Clark Masters player profile at Aldershot Town official website
- Scouting report: Clark Masters by Steve ClaridgeSteve ClaridgeStephen Edward Claridge is an English football player, pundit and coach. He is currently a pundit for BBC Sport football shows including Football Focus and the The Football League Show, whilst also playing as a striker for semi-professional team Gosport Borough.Claridge's career is known for its...
at guardian.co.ukGuardian.co.ukguardian.co.uk, formerly known as Guardian Unlimited, is a British website owned by the Guardian Media Group. Georgina Henry is the editor...