Ciaran Clark D Free agent b.1989

**Fixer82** · 21/07/2013, 6:21 PM

“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-...esent-ireland/

**Irwin3** · 21/07/2013, 6:32 PM

Originally Posted by 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-...esent-ireland/

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

**Fixer82** · 22/07/2013, 2:52 AM

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** · 22/07/2013, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 23/07/2013, 10:42 AM

Clark's mother was born in Leitrim. Some more on his father's side of the family here: http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/...lity-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** · 23/07/2013, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Clark's mother was born in Leitrim. Some more on his father's side of the family here: http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/...lity-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** · 23/07/2013, 12:51 PM

Is it really that important where his grandfather was born?

**Irwin3** · 23/07/2013, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

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** · 23/07/2013, 1:10 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Is it really that important where his grandfather was born?

During the off-season? Vital.

**Yard of Pace** · 23/07/2013, 4:07 PM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

During the off-season? Vital.

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

**Crosby87** · 23/07/2013, 4:48 PM

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.blogs...land-1600.html

**Irwin3** · 23/07/2013, 5:16 PM

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** · 21/08/2013, 8:58 PM

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** · 21/08/2013, 9:01 PM

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** · 21/08/2013, 10:28 PM

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

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/08/2013, 10:39 PM

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** · 22/08/2013, 9:33 AM

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** · 22/08/2013, 1:15 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

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

At Clark's expense?

**SwanVsDalton** · 23/08/2013, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

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.