Clint Boulton
Encyclopedia
Clinton William Boulton is an English
former professional football defender.
and began his career as an apprentice with local league club
Port Vale
in July 1963, making his debut in the 1964–65 season
, and turning professional in August 1965. Throughout his career he was a versatile defender displaying a great deal of consistency in his game, as typified by his ever-presence in the 1969–70
Fourth Division
promotion season. He played 267 games for Port Vale, scoring 12 times before joining Torquay United
in November 1971 for a fee of £10,000.
He quickly settled into the side, replacing Ian Twitchin
at right-back and played all but the last four of the remaining games of the season as Torquay struggled unsuccessfully to avoid relegation. He began the 1972–73 season as first choice in the centre of defence, though soon moved back to right-back in a reshuffle of the team. He was an ever-present until the local derby against Exeter City
on Boxing Day
1972, but played just five games in the remainder of the season.
He was ever-present the following season and remained a regular until the end of the 1977–78 season. He played just eleven times the following season with his final game for Torquay coming on the final day of the season, a 1–0 defeat away to Rochdale
.
He left Plainmoor
that summer, joining non-league Minehead.
He was awarded a testimonial
by Torquay, with a friendly match
against Southampton
on 15 January 1980 in his honour.
that produces blinds
and awning
s.
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...
former professional football defender.
Playing career
Boulton was born in Stoke-on-TrentStoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent , also called The Potteries is a city in Staffordshire, England, which forms a linear conurbation almost 12 miles long, with an area of . Together with the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme Stoke forms The Potteries Urban Area...
and began his career as an apprentice with local league club
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
in July 1963, making his debut in the 1964–65 season
1964–65 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1964–65 season was Port Vale's fifty-third season of football in the Football League, and their sixth season in the Third Division. They went on a club record streak of 13 home games without a clean sheet from 26 September to 15 March...
, and turning professional in August 1965. Throughout his career he was a versatile defender displaying a great deal of consistency in his game, as typified by his ever-presence in the 1969–70
1969–70 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1969–70 season was Port Vale's fifty-eighth season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. They achieved promotion with a fourth place finish, taking them back into the Third Division...
Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
promotion season. He played 267 games for Port Vale, scoring 12 times before joining Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in November 1971 for a fee of £10,000.
He quickly settled into the side, replacing Ian Twitchin
Ian Twitchin
Ian Twitchin is an English former professional footballer who spent his entire professional career with Torquay United, making 400 appearances in the Football League.-References:...
at right-back and played all but the last four of the remaining games of the season as Torquay struggled unsuccessfully to avoid relegation. He began the 1972–73 season as first choice in the centre of defence, though soon moved back to right-back in a reshuffle of the team. He was an ever-present until the local derby against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
1972, but played just five games in the remainder of the season.
He was ever-present the following season and remained a regular until the end of the 1977–78 season. He played just eleven times the following season with his final game for Torquay coming on the final day of the season, a 1–0 defeat away to Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
.
He left Plainmoor
Plainmoor
Plainmoor is a suburb of Torquay, Devon, but is best known as the name of the stadium in which Torquay United Football Club currently play.-History:...
that summer, joining non-league Minehead.
He was awarded a testimonial
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
by Torquay, with a friendly match
Exhibition game
An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition...
against Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
on 15 January 1980 in his honour.
Post-retirement
Since retirement from football he has worked for a company in DevonDevon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
that produces blinds
Window blind
A window blind is a type of window coverings. There are many different kinds of window blinds, using different systems and materials. A typical window blind is made with slats of fabric, wood, plastic or metal that adjust by rotating from an open position to a closed position by allowing slats to...
and awning
Awning
An awning or overhang is a secondary covering attached to the exterior wall of a building. It is typically composed of canvas woven of acrylic, cotton or polyester yarn, or vinyl laminated to polyester fabric that is stretched tightly over a light structure of aluminium, iron or steel, possibly...
s.
Honours
with Port Vale- Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
promoted in fourth place: 1969–70