Josh Clarke

Joshua Joseph Jason Ishmel Clarke (born 5 July 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back or right winger. He is a product of the Brentford youth system and made over 80 appearances for the club.

Brentford

Early years (2011–2015)

Clarke signed a two-year scholarship at League One club Brentford during the 2011 off-season, after being spotted while on a course at Southgate College. He also represented Middlesex Schools at U17 level. He progressed from the youth team to the Development Squad and signed a one-year professional contract for the 2013–14 season.

Clarke made his first team debut in a 5–0 League Cup second round defeat at Derby County in August 2013, playing the full 90 minutes. His second appearance came in a 2–1 Football League Trophy defeat to Peterborough United on 8 October, when he replaced Martin Fillo after 47 minutes. After finishing the 2013–14 season as the leading appearance-maker in the Development Squad, Clarke was promoted into the first team squad for the remainder of the League One season on 16 April 2014. With promotion to the Championship secured, he made his league debut when he replaced right back Nico Yennaris after 81 minutes of a 4–1 defeat to Colchester United 10 days later.

Clarke signed a new a one-year contract on 9 June 2014, but failed to feature at all in the first team during the 2014–15 season. He made 19 Development Squad appearances during the season and moved from right wing to right back and impressed sufficiently to sign a new one-year extension in late June 2015.

Breakthrough (2015–2018)

Clarke made his first senior appearance in over 15 months in the League Cup first round versus Oxford United on 11 August 2015 and was one of the few Bees players to offer any spark in the 4–0 defeat. An injury crisis saw him keep his place in the squad throughout August and September and he made three further appearances before departing on loan in October 2015. Nearly five months since his previous involvement, injury to right back Maxime Colin and the deployment of right back Nico Yennaris as a defensive midfielder saw Clarke embark on a run of 8 late-season appearances, which took his tally for 2015–16 to 12.

On 29 June 2016, Clarke signed a new two-year contract. He was an ever-present inclusion in matchday squads early in the 2016–17 season and scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Reading on 27 September 2016. He scored again five matches later, with the opener in a 2–0 West London derby victory over Queen's Park Rangers. In mid-February 2017, he signed a new two-year contract extension, which will keep him at Griffin Park until the end of the 2019–20 season. After a period on the bench, he broke back into the team late in the season and finished 2016–17 with 32 appearances and two goals.

Clarke began the 2017–18 season down the pecking order on the right side of defence and midfield, but he started in Brentford's EFL Cup matches in the opening weeks of the campaign. He scored his first goal of the season in the 4–1 EFL Cup second round victory over rivals Queens Park Rangers on 22 August 2017 and his performance was recognised with a place in the Team of the Round. He scored two goals in two matches in mid-September, in a 1–1 league draw with Reading and a late consolation in a 3–1 EFL Cup third round defeat to Norwich City. After a season-ending injury suffered by Rico Henry on 30 September, Clarke deputised at left back, after showing his versatility playing at right back and on both wings so far during the season. Clarke's performances during the first half of the season were recognised with a nomination for EFL Player of the Year at the 2017–18 London Football Awards and he finished the campaign with 32 appearances and three goals.

Later years (2018–2020)

Manager Dean Smith's decision to establish a leadership group and appoint matchday captains during the 2018–19 season led to Clarke wearing the captain's armband for the first time in his Brentford career during a 1–0 EFL Cup second round victory over Cheltenham Town on 28 August 2018. Well down the pecking order, Clarke made just three appearances before leaving on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season in January 2019.

Well-down the pecking order, injury-troubled and having made just two appearances so far during the 2019–20 season, Clarke was made available for transfer in January 2020. On the final day of the transfer window, his contract was terminated by mutual consent. He made 84 appearances and scored five goals for the club.

Carshalton Athletic (loans)

In December 2012, Clarke moved to Isthmian League Premier Division club Carshalton Athletic on a work experience loan deal and scored on his debut. Clarke returned to Griffin Park in January 2013 after making seven appearances, but re-signed for the Robins the following month and remained with the club for the rest of the season. He made 17 appearances and scored one goal in a season to forget for the club, in which it narrowly avoided relegation.

Maidenhead United (loan)

Clarke moved to Conference South club Maidenhead United on a one-month loan on 4 December 2013. He made his debut in a 3–2 defeat to Sutton United on 7 December, replacing Michael Malcolm after an hour. Clarke's spell at Maidenhead was hit by postponements due to the weather and he returned to Brentford on 6 January 2014, after making just two appearances.

Braintree Town (loan)

On 17 February 2014, Clarke joined Conference Premier club Braintree Town on a one-month loan. He failed to win a call into a squad and returned to Brentford when his loan expired.

Dagenham & Redbridge (loan)

Clarke joined League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge on a 28-day youth loan on 22 August 2014. His only involvement with the first team came when he was an unused substitute during the following day's match versus Mansfield Town. Failure to recover from a thigh injury saw Clarke return to Brentford when his loan expired.

Stevenage (loan)

Clarke joined League Two club Stevenage on a one-month youth loan on 17 October 2014. After just one substitute appearance and two further unused substitute appearances, Clarke was left out of the squad altogether and returned to Brentford when his loan expired.

Barnet (loan)

On 15 October 2015, Clarke joined League Two club Barnet on loan until 3 January 2016. He made a dream start to his time at The Hive, scoring three goals in his first four matches. On 28 November, Clarke received the first red card of his career for two bookable offences during the first half of a 3–1 defeat to Mansfield Town. After serving his suspension, he made two further appearances before suffering a hamstring injury. Clarke returned to Brentford when his loan expired, having made 10 appearances and scored three goals.

Burton Albion (loan)

On 11 January 2019, Clarke joined League One club Burton Albion on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season. Either side of an ankle injury, he made just six appearances during his spell.

As of match played 28 January 2020