Pat Clarke

Patrick Clarke (born 18 May 1985) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a forward. Clarke started his career with Dunfermline Athletic who he played for over two spells. He has also played for Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath, Clyde, Dundee and East Fife, as well as Berwick Rangers and Arbroath on loan.

Career

Fife
Clarke who was born in Edinburgh started his career at Hibernian before joining Dunfermline Athletic. He made his senior debut on 17 April 2004, in a 1–1 draw with Dundee United. His next appearance was a month later, when he came on as a substitute against Rangers. He joined Berwick Rangers on loan from October 2004 to January 2005. He was released by Dunfermline when he returned from his loan.

Clarke then joined Fife rivals Raith Rovers. He made his debut against Clyde on 12 February 2005, and scored two goals. Clarke joined Arbroath on a six-month loan in August 2005, and got his first senior hat-trick when Arbroath beat East Stirlingshire 7–2 in November 2005. Clarke returned to Rovers in January, and remained there until the end of the season.

Clarke joined another Fife club, Cowdenbeath in July 2006. He made a great start to his career at Central Park, scoring 4 goals in his first four games. His rich vein of form continued throughout the season, and he scored 5 goals in one match versus Stranraer in March 2007. He ended the season with 17 goals. Clarke got his third career hat-trick against former club Berwick Rangers in October 2007.

Clyde & Dundee
On 15 January 2008, it was announced Clarke had signed a pre-contract agreement with Scottish First Division side Clyde. However, both clubs agreed a fee which allowed Clarke to move to Broadwood Stadium on 29 January 2008. He made his debut in a 3–1 defeat by Stirling Albion on 2 February 2008. He scored his first goal three weeks later, netting Clyde's only goal in a defeat to Dunfermline Athletic, from the penalty spot. Despite scoring a double on the final day of the season in a 3–0 win over Stirling Albion, Clyde still finished in the playoff position due to Greenock Morton winning. However, he netted once in a 6–5 aggregate win over Alloa in the playoffs semifinals, and scored a goal in both legs of the 3–0 aggregate final win over Airdrie United. Clarke's contract was terminated in June 2009, following Clyde's relegation and financial troubles. He went on to sign for Dundee on a three-year contract.

Fife return
On 15 July 2010 it was announced that Pat Clarke had been released by Dundee so he could join Dunfermline Athletic on a 2-year contract. On 1 January 2012, he signed on loan to First Division Raith Rovers. In June 2012 Clarke signed a permanent deal with the Stark's Park side following his release by Dunfermline. Clarke signed for East Fife in July 2013, playing for the side for just one season before leaving in May 2014. Since retiring from football, in late 2015 Pat released an autobiography titled "Gamekeeper turned poacher, trials and tribulations of the fife flyer - Pat Clarke". In 2017, following a conviction for crimes against waistcoats following an infamous fashion decision made in Newcastle, Pat confirmed to the waiting press that he is indeed "absolutely whipped" and would only make rare and occasional forays to join the lads on a night out. In 2018, it was revealed that Pat is indeed going to join the lads on a holiday to Las Vegas, Nevada. Pat is yet to confirm as to whether the waistcoat will indeed be on the plane or otherwise.

See also
Clyde F.C. season 2007-08 | 2008–09

References

External links
 (2003–2008)
 (2008–2014)

Category:1985 births
Category:Living people
Category:Footballers from Edinburgh
Category:Scottish footballers
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Scottish Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Hibernian F.C. players
Category:Dunfermline Athletic F.C. players
Category:Berwick Rangers F.C. players
Category:Raith Rovers F.C. players
Category:Arbroath F.C. players
Category:Cowdenbeath F.C. players
Category:Clyde F.C. players
Category:Dundee F.C. players
Category:East Fife F.C. players
Category:Association football forwards