Conor Clifford
Encyclopedia
Conor Paul Clifford is an Irish
professional footballer who plays as a midfielder
for Yeovil Town
on loan from Chelsea
. He is a Republic of Ireland youth international and has represented them at under-17, under-19, and under-21 level. He has been called into the senior Ireland squad
but is yet to play.
and Crumlin United
, playing in the Dublin District Schoolboys League in Ireland.
as a member of their Academy. He signed a full-time scholarship in June 2008. He made 25 appearances for the youth team during the 2009–10 season, scoring three goals. After progressing into the reserve team, where he scored twice in ten appearances, Clifford captained the youth team as they won the FA Youth Cup
. He scored the decisive goal in the final
as they were crowned champions for the first time since 1961. Clifford joined Plymouth Argyle
on an initial one-month loan in October 2010. He made his senior debut the next day in a 2–1 win against Huddersfield Town
. "I'm still learning the game, and it's all good experience for me playing in front of big crowds and with these lads," he said. "I just want to keep myself in the team and keep playing well for Plymouth."
His loan was extended in November, and he continued to play regularly before returning to Chelsea in December. Both clubs had agreed to another extension, but the Football League declined his registration due to Argyle's financial difficulties. "What will be will be, but it's a blow," said Peter Reid
. "I've got to say that. He's been a breath of fresh air. He's enthusiastic, presses the ball, and has been our leader for such a young man while Fletcher has been out injured; a tremendous character."
On 11 February 2011 Clifford signed on a one-month loan for League One
club Notts County
. He returned to Chelsea on 7 April 2011, having made nine appearances for County.
and was an unused sub for the game.
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 as a 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...
for Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
on loan from Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. He is a Republic of Ireland youth international and has represented them at under-17, under-19, and under-21 level. He has been called into the senior Ireland squad
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....
but is yet to play.
Early career
Clifford began his career with Cherry OrchardCherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an Irish football club founded in 1957 known locally as "the Orchard." The club is one of the biggest producers of talent in Ireland. They are linked with Manchester City. Their main rival is Crumlin United, for whom Robbie Keane played at schoolboy level. The club...
and Crumlin United
Crumlin United F.C.
Crumlin United Football Club is a Northern Irish football club playing in Division 1A of the Northern Amateur Football League. The club was founded in 1968 and played in the Lisburn League, Ballymena Premier League and Dunmurry League before joining the Amateur League in 1986...
, playing in the Dublin District Schoolboys League in Ireland.
Chelsea
Clifford moved to England in 2007 to sign for ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
as a member of their Academy. He signed a full-time scholarship in June 2008. He made 25 appearances for the youth team during the 2009–10 season, scoring three goals. After progressing into the reserve team, where he scored twice in ten appearances, Clifford captained the youth team as they won the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
. He scored the decisive goal in the final
2009–10 FA Youth Cup
The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON 2009–10 was the 58th edition of the FA Youth Cup.467 Clubs were initially accepted, although there was one withdrawal, Worcester City, with 53 of the remaining 466 being new entries....
as they were crowned champions for the first time since 1961. Clifford joined Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on an initial one-month loan in October 2010. He made his senior debut the next day in a 2–1 win against Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. "I'm still learning the game, and it's all good experience for me playing in front of big crowds and with these lads," he said. "I just want to keep myself in the team and keep playing well for Plymouth."
His loan was extended in November, and he continued to play regularly before returning to Chelsea in December. Both clubs had agreed to another extension, but the Football League declined his registration due to Argyle's financial difficulties. "What will be will be, but it's a blow," said Peter Reid
Peter Reid
Peter Reid is an English football manager, pundit and retired player, who is currently without a club since his departure from Plymouth Argyle.A defensive midfielder in his playing days, Reid enjoyed a long and successful career...
. "I've got to say that. He's been a breath of fresh air. He's enthusiastic, presses the ball, and has been our leader for such a young man while Fletcher has been out injured; a tremendous character."
On 11 February 2011 Clifford signed on a one-month loan for 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....
club Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. He returned to Chelsea on 7 April 2011, having made nine appearances for County.
International career
Clifford was an Republic of Ireland international under-17, under-19 and now is currently an under-21 international for Ireland. He made regular appearances for the under-19s scoring three times in ten appearances, going on to playing for the under-21s where he has currently made 3 appearances. On 10 August 2011, he was called up to the senior team for the friendly against CroatiaCroatia national football team
The Croatia national football team represents Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country, and has been managed since 2006 by former player Slaven Bilić...
and was an unused sub for the game.
Career statistics
| Season | Club | League | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
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... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 2010–11 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
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.... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Chelsea Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... |
Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yeovil Town Yeovil Town F.C. Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05... |
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.... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Career totals | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||