Clarke Carlisle

Clarke Carlisle

Clarke Carlisle was born in Preston and represented his local county of Lancashire for the under 15s. Whilst also excelling at Football, he also excelled in his academic studies, obtaining 10 A grade GCSEs. Clarke was snapped up by Lancashire based Blackpool to join their youth system, signing professional terms on the 13th August 1997, quickly breaking through into Blackpool first team, Clarke made nearly a century of appearances for Blackpool and following relegation from the Second Division, Clarke drew the attention of former Hatter Iain Dowie, who at that point was a scout for Queens Park Rangers. 

Following nearly another century of appearances for Queens Park Rangers, Clarke joined Leeds who had just been relegated from the Premier League, on a free transfer, where he would spend one season, before a transfer to Watford in 2005, helping them to a promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs, before injury prevented Clarke from participating in the first 8 months of Watfords’ Premier League campaign, in part to regain fitness, Clarke joined Luton Town on an emergency loan during the 2006/07 season, during which Luton Town were battling relegation, making his debut in a 3-2 loss to Wolves at Kenilworth Road. Clarke would play 5 matches in total for Luton Town, his last match being a 0-0 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor. Clarke returned to the Watford squad for the conclusion of their Premier League campaign as they were relegated back to the Championship. Following the conclusion of the season, Clarke was signed by Burnley, where he found a more permanent home, passing a century of appearances, even helping Burnley to promotion to the Premier League and playing a key role in the heart of defence, while they battled relegation. Back in the Championship, Clarke fell out of favour at Turf Moor under Eddie Howe and enjoyed a variety of loan moves to Preston and Northampton Town. 

Following his release by Burnley at the end of his contract, he joined York City on a permanent deal following their promotion from the Conference, before a loan and then permanent move to Northampton Town, where his final match as a professional came in a 3-0 Playoff final loss to Bradford at Wembley. Following the conclusion of his career, Clarke has worked in Football media, appeared on Question Time, been pronounced the Britains’ Brainiest Footballer as well as holding positions in the PFA and working as an ambassador for Kick It Out, to tackle racism in Football.