Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

[Fixer82]

“Even though I was born and raised in England, I have always felt an allegiance to Ireland, but I wasn’t offered the chance to represent the country at junior levels. Maybe the Irish officials didn’t realise I was available, so England was a second option.
“If someone from the FAI had come along to me when I was 16 and offered me a chance to play at junior level in a green shirt, I would have jumped at it. Yet it was England that chased me to play for them and it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”

http://greenscene.me/2011/02/ciaran-clark-always-wanted-to-represent-ireland/

[Irwin3]

“Even though I was born and raised in England, I have always felt an allegiance to Ireland, but I wasn’t offered the chance to represent the country at junior levels. Maybe the Irish officials didn’t realise I was available, so England was a second option.
“If someone from the FAI had come along to me when I was 16 and offered me a chance to play at junior level in a green shirt, I would have jumped at it. Yet it was England that chased me to play for them and it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”

http://greenscene.me/2011/02/ciaran-clark-always-wanted-to-represent-ireland/

Cheers. Always wondered about his father's background. Born in Scotland but moved to Donegal as a child. Irish parents?

[Fixer82]

Both parents Irish according to a few articles I read. Think his Da may have been born in Scotland to Irish parents.
Although Clark without the 'e' wouldn't be a very common name in Ireland

[Irwin3]

Both parents Irish according to a few articles I read. Think his Da may have been born in Scotland to Irish parents.
Although Clark without the 'e' wouldn't be a very common name in Ireland

Indeed. Clark is a big name in Scotland. Could be a case of changing spelling when moved to Scotland (you'd think it would be a couple of generations beforehand for this to be likely, but maybe not) or maybe it's the mother that was Irish. Or maybe they're an Irish Clark. Either way it's interesting to know that his father grew up in Donegal.

[DannyInvincible]

Clark's mother was born in Leitrim. Some more on his father's side of the family here: http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/fai-to-check-ciaran-clark-s-availability-1-2007481


Although London born, Clark is the grandson of Vera Clark, originally from Moyle Hill in Milford, but presently living in Manorcunningham. Ciaran's father Michael, although born in Edinburgh when his family were working in Scotland for a time, is a former student of Drummond National School in Ballyare and played for Milford United under Fr Michael Herrity as a teenager.

[Irwin3]

Clark's mother was born in Leitrim. Some more on his father's side of the family here: http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/fai-to-check-ciaran-clark-s-availability-1-2007481

Yes, I've always heard that his mother was from Leitrim. The only 'mystery' for me was the father's side.

When I said 'maybe it's the mother that was Irish' I was referring to Ciaran's Clark grandmother. And with your information it turns out that she was. Still none the wiser on the paternal grandfather's origins. The article seems to imply that Clark Sr Sr and his wife Vera were only working in Scotland before moving back but they then only go on to mention Vera's origins. Clark Sr Sr's origins are still uncertain. Born in Scotland and 100% Scottish, born in Scotland but with Scottish and/or Irish heritage or born in Ireland but not mentioned.

[tetsujin1979]

Is it really that important where his grandfather was born?

[Irwin3]

Is it really that important where his grandfather was born?

Obviously not. Since he is a Clark though it is interesting to me whether he is one of the rare Irish Clarks or indeed a Scottish Clark.

[Sullivinho]

Is it really that important where his grandfather was born?

During the off-season? Vital.

[Yard of Pace]

During the off-season? Vital.

Thanks for giving me a chuckle on a quiet Tuesday afternoon Sully. ;)

[Crosby87]

He's famous for his afternoons delights yard if you are interested.

Also it looks like Clarks were in Ireland in the 1600s, at some point they must have pooled a few brass farthings together and bought the "e".
http://earliestclarksinireland.blogspot.com/2011/01/index-of-irish-clarks-in-ireland-1600.html

[Irwin3]

Clarke is an Irish name from O'Cleirigh. Clark is an English name.

Obviously some Clarkes could have become Clarks and vice-versa through anglicanisation and/or standardisation of spelling.

Today there are about 14,000 Clarkes in the 26 counties compared to around 270 Clarks.

Like I mentioned earlier, Clark is particularly common in Scotland and in the 10 top regions for frequency, Scotland is the only one representing the UK or Ireland (The others being regions of Australia, New Zealand and Canada).

For the top regions of frequency of Clarke, we have: 1) NE of Ireland, 3) E of Ireland, 4) NW of Ireland, 6) Northern Ireland, 8) Dublin, Ireland.
The UK have: 5) East Anglia, UK, 7) East Midlands, UK and 10) West Midlands, UK.

Clarke is also slightly more common then Clark in the UK.

[DannyInvincible]

I see Clark was substituted off on 43 minutes against Chelsea tonight. Did he pick up an injury or what was the reason for that?

[Charlie Darwin]

He got a really bad gash that wouldn't stop bleeding. Hopefully he'll be back for Saturday as otherwise it will give Okore a chance to overtake him in the CB slot.

[paul_oshea]

he only played today because of an injury to baker.he already lost his place.

[Charlie Darwin]

Bit much to say he's lost his place on the first day of the season. The first few weeks are generally a chance for players to put down a marker and Clark had his chance.

[SwanVsDalton]

Did well too in the time he had, against Arsenal and last night. Pity about the injury, Okore would be expected to nail down a place when he gets up and running.

[DannyInvincible]

Okore would be expected to nail down a place when he gets up and running.

At Clark's expense?

[SwanVsDalton]

At Clark's expense?

Yes, and Baker's. I'd be shocked if Vlaar didn't have the more than the odd headstagger to give Lambert something to think about and although Okore is highly rated, he's still an unknown. There'll be plenty of chances.

[Charlie Darwin]

On the bench v Liverpool as Okore starts with Vlaar.

[Charlie Darwin]

Clark's job has become an awful lot easier as Jores Okore has helpfully had himself ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate injury: http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~3460414,00.html

[SwanVsDalton]

Great chance for Clark. Straight shoot-out between him and Baker to partner Vlaar. It'll do him a world of good to nail the spot down.

[DeLorean]

I wonder does Lambert regret not keeping Dunne now? 4 clean sheets out of 4 at QPR.

He'd be perfect to guide the likes of Baker or Clark through games. Vlaar is pretty rash himself from what I've seen.

[SwanVsDalton]

I wonder does Lambert regret not keeping Dunne now? 4 clean sheets out of 4 at QPR.

He'd be perfect to guide the likes of Baker or Clark through games. Vlaar is pretty rash himself from what I've seen.

Maybe - if he was happy to take a considerably reduced deal. Dunne's wages were the biggest problem but it would have been a gamble on a guy who hadn't played all last season and wouldn't get much of a game this year. I'd say Lambert probably rolled the dice about right. I'm not convinced Dunne is a top-level player anymore.

[DeLorean]

I'd like to think that Dunne himself would have realised he was never going to get the same kind of deal with his injury problems/age.

To be fair though, it's very much hindsight knowing now that Dunne is actually playing matches again, not to mention the unfortunate injury to poor Okore.

[tricky_colour]

Maybe - if he was happy to take a considerably reduced deal. Dunne's wages were the biggest problem but it would have been a gamble on a guy who hadn't played all last season and wouldn't get much of a game this year. I'd say Lambert probably rolled the dice about right. I'm not convinced Dunne is a top-level player anymore.

Well conceding just 2 goals in 7 games suggests he is not too far off!!!
OK it's the championship but he part of a very solid defence, I think you would have to say he would get into a good
few Premiership defences?
I have not really seen him play this season but he can't be playing too badly judging by the goals conceded.

Actually I just checked and he has only played 5 of the 7 games, so he has not conceded any!!! 450 mins without conceding!!

The only goals he has conceded have been in the qualifiers.

[paul_oshea]

Maybe - if he was happy to take a considerably reduced deal. Dunne's wages were the biggest problem but it would have been a gamble on a guy who hadn't played all last season and wouldn't get much of a game this year. I'd say Lambert probably rolled the dice about right. I'm not convinced Dunne is a top-level player anymore.

I thought he was off the pace in the first half very much so against Sweden. In fact most of the game, the thing is though I think he was badly beaten by Elmander for the Sweden goal.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought it was a good goal. No more no less.

[DeLorean]

It was an excellent goal. Brilliant cross, great movement and header from Elmander. Maybe on another day Dunne might have anticipated it earlier and got across Elmander, but it was split second stuff and a year out is bound to have some slight repercussions.

[Junior]

It was a very well taken goal, it wasnt poor defending that caused it. Of course you would like the CH to get in there ahead of the striker but in most cases the striker has that natural instinct and momentum to gain the 0.5 seconds needed to have that half yard of space.

[paul_oshea]

Lads unfortunately as I say being at the game makes a big difference. I was right behind the goal. He missed the initial run, it was always going to be too late to catch up with him then. Do you remember breen and raul in 2002 he let him get in front and was never going to catch him then. Dunne let him get in front, as he had done a couple of times before this. It was a good cross and a good header, but the initial run was not tracked.

Thats horsesh1t Junior :D The defender should always track goal side, so even if he gets in front he covers goal side, dunne was a yard behind him. Sorry lads but its true. I saw the cross coming(not like a visionary or anything) and then Elmander made a yard, from then he was always going to get it at least on target, good header though.

And while I'm at it, whatever about McClean making a mistake, Forde should never have let it in under him and at his near post.

[DeLorean]

What did you see at the match that can't be seen here Paul? Like I say, Elmander moved the split second before Dunne, unfortunately it was enough. A striker is always going to make the move first really because he can decide to come near post or go far, the defender has to either take a chance and anticipate where the cross is going, or follow the runner.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64je-GoA4fc

[Junior]

Good post DeLorean. So its exactly as I remember it (I was also at the game - not that it makes a difference as the video shows the incident from every angle). Dunne was goal side of Elmander. Elmander making plenty of movement back and forth. You could argue Dunne should have been touch tight but basically, he's half watching the ball, half waiting for Elmander to make a move. He goes with him but the split second is enough. Possibly a player not just back from injury may have got closer / stopped it but I think it was a good cross and a good finish. End of story.

[Stuttgart88]

No blame to Dunne. In fact he saw it early and attacked it, but Elmander attacked it early too. Great cross, excellent play by Elmander. It was just a very good goal. They happen.

[SwanVsDalton]

Well conceding just 2 goals in 7 games suggests he is not too far off!!!
OK it's the championship but he part of a very solid defence, I think you would have to say he would get into a good
few Premiership defences?
I have not really seen him play this season but he can't be playing too badly judging by the goals conceded.

Actually I just checked and he has only played 5 of the 7 games, so he has not conceded any!!! 450 mins without conceding!!

The only goals he has conceded have been in the qualifiers.

He's done well so far this season, but he is playing in a very solid defence as part of one the Championship's heavyweights. That doesn't really reflect on what might happen in the Premiership and definitely not at Villa, where a flawed defence is still one of Lambert's biggest problems. Add that in with his wages...well hindsight's great - and I'm a massive Dunne fan - but I still think it was the right call.


I thought he was off the pace in the first half very much so against Sweden. In fact most of the game, the thing is though I think he was badly beaten by Elmander for the Sweden goal.

I think he looked a little rusty and off-the-pace too, although hard to tell if that's my mind letting a narrative (older player just back from lengthy injury) taking over. Thought the goal was a good goal full stop but the problem for Dunne is the question now will always be posed - would a peak Dunne be a bit tighter? A little quicker?

Having said that it would be a fine swansong to have him retain his current form, stay fit and prove himself vital to the new manager into what must be his last qualification campaign.

[paul_oshea]

DeLorean. Pause it on 11 seconds. He has timed his run just before the cross comes in, he pulls out a yard so he can come in and attack it. Dunne misses the run, on 11 seconds you can see he is at least a yard off. Then he comes over and in again, and Dunne goes forward initially to make up the yard and then tries to get across him. Its pretty clear there bar around the 10th second where it goes out to the wing, but a lot clearer behind the goal obviously :)

Jees if Forde had even stayed up right it would have hit his noggin.

Edit: look at the replay around 37 seconds or so. He pulls out off Dunne, so he can come in to attack as he sees how far forward lustig has got so he pulls out and away from Dunne. Dunne wasn't quick enough to react, and maybe slightly off the pace too to make it up.

[geysir]

DeLorean. Pause it on 11 seconds. He has timed his run just before the cross comes in, he pulls out a yard so he can come in and attack it. Dunne misses the run, on 11 seconds you can see he is at least a yard off. Then he comes over and in again, and Dunne goes forward initially to make up the yard and then tries to get across him. Its pretty clear there bar around the 10th second where it goes out to the wing, but a lot clearer behind the goal obviously :)

Jees if Forde had even stayed up right it would have hit his noggin.

Edit: look at the replay around 37 seconds or so. He pulls out off Dunne, so he can come in to attack as he sees how far forward lustig has got so he pulls out and away from Dunne. Dunne wasn't quick enough to react, and maybe slightly off the pace too to make it up.
Why do you focus so much energy criticising and finding/inventing fault (1/24th second faults) with players?

[paul_oshea]

I don't I just have an extremely analytical mind, so I wouldn't need to put as much energy into it as say, someone like you. :P

Seriously though but I'm sure Trap, and from the reaction that Dunne had himself after the goal that he knew he got caught short.

If you dont find, analyse and identify these problems you don't get better and you don't eradicate the mistakes. For any job really.

[BonnieShels]

Seriously though but I'm sure Trap, and from the reaction that Dunne had himself after the goal that he knew he got caught short.



Well Elmander certainly pi$$ed past him.

[geysir]

I don't I just have an extremely analytical mind, so I wouldn't need to put as much energy into it as say, someone like you. :P

Seriously though but I'm sure Trap, and from the reaction that Dunne had himself after the goal that he knew he got caught short.

If you dont find, analyse and identify these problems you don't get better and you don't eradicate the mistakes. For any job really.
Quite frankly that's horse :) your mind is not that analytical.
You're arguing millimetres when there were some glaring errors made in those games. Just because some supposed error leads to a goal, doesn't make it a bigger error than one which did not prove costly. The first real chance for Sweden was aided by a glaring defensive error in covering, the worst of the game, but the chance was not converted. Therefore not much focus is made on that.
My first impression was that Dunne had done his best, had got close and was beaten, he was naturally disappointed/crestfallen, but you assume to read his mind. :rolleyes: He's the experienced player who knows what happened and what he can do better. Are you going to tell him how to defend? to eradicate what you interpret as a mistake? I doubt that, so I just think that you enjoy picking out perceived faults with players, criticising them, with absolutely no opportunity to be constructive.
If it's a team discussion, then you can have an opinion that Dunne has lost a bit of sharpness, point out where he has lost his sharpness and make a claim for another CH to take his place.

[paul_oshea]

The errors that are noticed are the errors that are most costly usually, or to put it another way the most costly errors are the noticed errors unfortunately.

He went down in front of us holding his head in his hands. I'm sure it was disappointment but I'm also pretty sure it was a how did i let that happen "head in hands" moment also.

[TrapAPony]

Gave away a 5th minute penalty for handball v Norwich. Lucky for him Guzan saved it.

[Stuttgart88]

Played pretty well in the second half.

[geysir]

The errors that are noticed are the errors that are most costly usually, or to put it another way the most costly errors are the noticed errors unfortunately.
I would have a very different opinion in that I rate defensive errors according to the standards of defensive play.
Dunne's 'error' was on the margins, according to the testimony of many, so marginal as to not apportion blame to him.
There was a vastly more serious error, earlier in that game, but the difference was, the Swede blew the opportunity.
In my book, a defensive howler is a defensive howler, just because it didn't prove directly costly, doesn't reduce the error value.
And I would say, even if that early howler didn't prove immediately costly, it certainly appeared to ignite the Swedes.

[SwanVsDalton]

Gave away a 5th minute penalty for handball v Norwich. Lucky for him Guzan saved it.


Ball hit him from a couple of yards. Never a deliberate handball and a very harsh decision.

One of his best performances for some time, he was largely excellent in helping Villa claim their first clean sheet in 26 games.

[Stuttgart88]

That's what I thought. He showed real confidence and authority, dare I say leadership from what I saw. Nearly deflected a dangerous cross into his own goal but overall was very good.

[drummerboy]

Was very impressed with Clark today. Will big player for us, just needs the experience.

[DeLorean]

Thankfully played no part in a 4-0 home defeat to Spurs in the League Cup. Vlaar and Baker both played 90 minutes in an otherwise very much weakened Villa side. Probably a good sign that Clark sat this one out.

[Charlie Darwin]

Clark is back from the niggle that kept him out midweek and is playing in midfield against Man City.

[tetsujin1979]

Back in the starting XI for Villa today against United