James Clarke

James Michael Neil Clarke (born 2 April 2000) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two side Mansfield Town. He joined Mansfield Town from Burnley in July 2019.

Burnley

Clarke came through the Academy at Burnley and earned a call up to the Republic of Ireland under-18 team in March 2018. He turned professional at Turf Moor in April 2018 and was named as Clarets’ Scholar of the Year the following month. However he struggled with injuries in the 2018–19 season and he was allowed to leave the club after losing his place in the under-23 team.

Mansfield Town

On 24 June 2019, Clarke signed a two-year deal with EFL League Two side Mansfield Town, alongside fellow Burnley youth-team graduate Aidan Stone. He made his debut in the English Football League on 20 August, coming on as an 89th-minute substitute for Hayden White in a 3–2 defeat to Leyton Orient at Field Mill. Manager John Dempster went on to hand Clarke his first start for the "Stags" four days later, in a 0–0 draw at home to Stevenage.