Quick Facts
Biography
Ryan James Clarke (born 30 April 1982) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for National League club Eastleigh. He previously trained with the England under-18 squad in La Manga.
Career
Bristol Rovers
Born in Bristol, Clarke started his career with Bristol Rovers; during his time on Rovers' books he had spells on loan at Kidderminster Harriers, Southend United and Forest Green Rovers, where he worked with former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell as his goalkeeper coach.
Salisbury City
Clarke joined Salisbury City from Bristol Rovers in August 2006.
In the summer of 2008, he broke a metatarsal while on holiday. This setback lead to James Bittner claiming the number one shirt from him, and Clarke was then loaned out to Northwich Victoria to reduce the club's wage bill.
Oxford United
Clarke joined Oxford United on 26 May 2009. He was their regular goalkeeper in the 2009–10 campaign and, despite his scoring an own goal in the 2010 Conference Premier play-off Final against York City on 16 May, his Oxford side still secured a return to the Football League after a four-year exile as 3–1 winners. At the end of the season, Clarke was voted Player of the Year by the Oxford supporters for his feats between the posts.
On 12 January 2011, Oxford United announced that Clarke had signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, meaning he would stay at the club until 2014. On 30 January 2014, he signed another three-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2017.
Northampton Town
Clarke signed for League Two club Northampton Town on a two-year contract on 2 July 2015.
AFC Wimbledon and Eastleigh
On 21 June 2016, Clarke joined League One newcomers AFC Wimbledon on a one-year deal. On 21 September Clarke moved to Eastleigh on a two-year deal.
Career statistics
- As of match played 6 October 2015.
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bristol Rovers | 2000–01 | Second Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | Third Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2002–03 | Third Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2003–04 | Third Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | League Two | 18 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | ||
| Total | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 0 | ||
| Southend United (loan) | 2004–05 | League Two | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Kidderminster Harriers (loan) | 2004–05 | League Two | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| Forest Green Rovers (loan) | 2005–06 | Conference National | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 3 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| Salisbury City | 2006–07 | Conference South | 41 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 7 | 0 | 52 | 0 | |
| 2007–08 | Conference Premier | 46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | Conference Premier | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 87 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | 102 | 0 | |||
| Northwich Victoria (loan) | 2008–09 | Conference Premier | 23 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| Oxford United | 2009–10 | Conference Premier | 43 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | 52 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | League Two | 46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 | League Two | 42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | League Two | 24 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| 2013–14 | League Two | 46 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 0 | |
| 2014–15 | League Two | 31 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| Total | 232 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 267 | 0 | ||
| Northampton Town | 2015–16 | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Career total | 414 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 477 | 0 | ||
Honours
Salisbury City
- Conference South play-offs: 2006–07
Oxford United
- Conference Premier play-offs: 2009–10