Shane Clarke

For the Power Ranger, see Shane Clarke (Power Ranger).

Shane Clarke

Personal information
Full name	Shane Robin Clarke
Date of birth	(1987-11-07) 7 November 1987 (age 35)
Place of birth	Lincoln, England
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Lincoln United
Youth career
2004–2006	Lincoln City
2005–2006	→ Stamford (W/E)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2010	Lincoln City	68	(0)
2010	Gateshead	1	(0)
2010–2011	Boston United	15	(2)
2011–2013	Gainsborough Trinity	51	(6)
2013–2014	Worksop Town	42	(11)
2014–2016	Tamworth	63	(12)
2016–2017	Boston United	11	(0)
2017–2020	Gainsborough Trinity	109	(11)
2020–2021	Spalding United	12	(2)
2021–2022	Grantham Town	28	(3)
2022–	Lincoln United	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:05, 27 April 2022 (UTC)

Shane Robin Clarke (born 7 November 1987) is an English footballer who plays for Lincoln United, where he plays as a midfielder.

Clarke notably played professionally in the Football League during a four-year spell with Lincoln City. He has since played the rest of his career at Non-League level for Gateshead, Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity, Spalding United, Worksop Town and Tamworth.

Early life

Clarke was born in Lincoln, England.

Playing career

Lincoln City

Clarke is a product of the club's centre of excellence which he joined in February 2002. In March 2004, he was one of five players who accepted a three-year scholarship with the Imps, commencing at the start of the 2004–05 season. ^[1] Of the five, three would go on to forge professional careers: Clarke, Jack Hobbs and Scott Loach. In January 2006, Clarke joined Stamford on work experience ^[2] with the scholarship system reverting to two rather than three years, Clarke was offered professional terms with the club at the end of his second year ^[3] and he signed his first, one-year, professional contract in July 2006. ^[4]

He started his Lincoln career as an unused substitute against Grimsby Town in a Football League Trophy match. He then played 11 games and was used as a substitute 5 times. His second Football League game, a 3–1 home defeat to Rotherham United on 12 January 2008, saw Clarke red-carded for a last minute lunge on Mark Hudson resulting in a three-match ban. ^[5] However his performances after making his debut saw him rewarded with a one-year extension to his contract. ^[6] On 30 April 2009 he agreed a new two-year contract with the club ^[7] signing the contract the following day. ^[8]

In May 2010, Clarke was placed on the Lincoln City transfer list by manager Chris Sutton, and on 31 August 2010 agreed a deal with the club to have his contract cancelled. ^[9]

Gateshead

On 6 October 2010, Clarke signed an initial one-month contract with Conference National side Gateshead. ^[10] Clarke made his debut for Gateshead as a second-half substitute against AFC Wimbledon on 16 October 2010. Clarke was released by Gateshead on 8 November 2010. ^[11]

Boston United

On 19 November 2010 he joined Boston United ^[12] and was judged to be man-of-the-match on his debut for the club, a 2–1 home FA Trophy victory over Gainsborough Trinity the following day. ^[13] He departed the club following the 1–0 home Conference North defeat to A.F.C. Telford United on 12 February 2011 after being offered a trial with MLS side Chicago Fire. ^{[14] [15]} He linked up with the club for the second phase of their pre-season training, ^[16] appearing in games against Florida Gulf Coast University ^[17] and New York Red Bulls, ^[18] before being released from his trial on 28 February 2011. ^[19]

He returned to Boston United, appearing as an unused substitute in the club's 1–0 defeat at Solihull Moors on 26 March 2011 ^[20] and maintaining a place in the squad until the end of the season. He was offered terms by the club for the 2011–2012 season ^[21] but turned these down in order to join Gainsborough Trinity. ^[22]

Gainsborough Trinity

Clarke signed for Gainsborough Trinity in June 2011. During the 2011–12 season, Clarke formed a formidable midfield partnership with Jonathan D'Laryea, and the pair were influential in helping Trinity to secure a National League North play-off position, finishing in 5th place. Trinity would go on to reach the play-off final, defeating Halifax Town 3–2 over two legs, with Clarke scoring the only goal in the second leg to send Trinity through to the final. In the summer of 2012, Clark agreed to sign for another year with Trinity.

Worksop Town

In June 2013 he signed for Worksop Town.

Tamworth

On 10 June 2014, Clarke, and his Worksop Town teammate Leon Mettam joined Conference North side Tamworth. ^[23]

Boston United

Clarke rejoined Boston United in May 2016, but suffered an injury-stricken season with the Pilgrims, being ruled out for the first half of the season after suffering a second Achilles injury in quick succession. He was already set to miss the opening month of the campaign, but was subsequently eliminated from action until at least January 2017. ^[24] Clarke was one of eight released at the end of the season, after making only 11 appearances.

Gainsborough Trinity

Returning to Gainsborough Trinity for a second spell following his release from Lincolnshire rivals Boston United, Clarke was unveiled as one of Dave Frecklington's first summer signings in May 2017, along with Craig King. Clarke scored his first goal on his return on 19 August against Harrogate Town.

Lincoln United

In June 2022, Clarke joined Lincoln United. ^[25]

Personal life

Clarke has a son called Gabriel, who was born on 1 March 2011.

Career statistics

As of match played 16 December 2017 ^[26]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Lincoln City	2006–07 [27]	League Two	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2007–08 [28]		16	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	16	0
	2008–09 [29]		23	0	1	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	26	0
	2009–10 [30]		29	0	2	0	1	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	33	0
	Total		68	0	3	0	2	0	2	0	75	0
Gateshead	2010–11 [31]	Conference Premier	1	0	0	0	—		0	0	1	0
Boston United	2010–11 [32]	Conference North	15	2	0	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 2]	0	17	2
Gainsborough Trinity	2011–12 [32]	Conference North	26	4	0	0	—		0	0	26	4
	2012–13 [32]		25	2	0	0	—		3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	28	2
	Total		51	6	0	0	0	0	3	0	54	6
Worksop Town	2013–14	NPL – Premier Division	42	11	?	?	—		?	?	42	11
Tamworth	2014–15 [32]	Conference North	38	8	2	1	—		0	0	40	9
	2015–16 [32]	National League North	25	4	0	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 2]	0	26	4
	Total		63	12	2	1	0	0	1	0	66	13
Boston United	2016–17 [32]	National League North	11	0	0	0	—		0	0	11	0
Gainsborough Trinity	2017–18 [32]	National League North	19	1	2	0	—		0	0	21	1
Career totals			270	32	7	1	2	0	8	0	287	33

1. Appearances in the Football League Trophy
2. Appearances in the FA Trophy

References

1. "Five Youngsters Offered Scholarships". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 10 March 2004. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
2. "Daniels borrow young Imp". NonLeagueDaily.com. 14 January 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
3. "Retained List Announced". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 18 May 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
4. "Five Sign On Dotted Line". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 4 July 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2008.
5. "Three-match ban for Shane". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
6. "Shane signs extension". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
7. "New deals agreed". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
8. "Duo sign on dotted line". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
9. "Duo depart". Lincoln City F.C. Official Website. 31 August 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
10. "Gateshead sign former Lincoln City midfielder". Gateshead F.C. Official Website. 6 October 2010. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
11. "Gateshead release Clarke". Gateshead F.C. Official Website. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
12. "United boosted by three signings". Boston United F.C. Official Website. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
13. "Clarke aiming to build on good start". Boston United F.C. Official Website. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
14. "BREAKING NEWS: Shane Clarke leaves Boston United". Boston Standard. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
15. "Boston United's Shane Clarke set for MLS trial". BBC Sport. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
16. "Fire shift camp to Florida for second phase of preseason training". Chicago Fire Official Website. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
17. "Fire Draw 2–2 With Florida Gulf Coast". Chicago Fire Official Website. 18 February 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
18. "Fire, Red Bulls Play To 1–1 Draw". Chicago Fire Official Website. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
19. "Fire shift preseason camp to Charleston". Chicago Fire Official Website. 28 February 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
20. "Clarke returns to Boston after his American dream comes to an end". Boston Standard. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
21. "United announce five departures". Boston United F.C. Official Website. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
22. "Family first". Gainsborough Standard. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
23. "Tamworth swoop for Mettam and Clarke" . Retrieved 10 June 2014.
24. "Shane Clarke - Boston United Football Club First Team".
25. Lincoln United F.C. [@LincolnUnited] (25 June 2022). "⚽️✍️ Lincoln United is delighted to announce ex Lincoln City, Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity & Grantham Town midfielder, @SheezyClarke, has signed for the 22/23 season. An incredible addition to the team, with plenty of experience, welcome Shane! #TheWhites" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 June 2022– via Twitter.
26. "Shane Clarke Career Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 26 October 2010.
27. "Games played by Shane Clarke in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
28. "Games played by Shane Clarke in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
29. "Games played by Shane Clarke in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
30. "Games played by Shane Clarke in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
31. "Games played by Shane Clarke in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
32. Shane Clarke at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 December 2017.

External links

• Shane Clarke at Soccerbase
• Lincoln City F.C. Official Archive Profile