clarkin_john
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| Name: John Clarkin |
Nationality: Scotland |
| Position: forward |
Signing Information: Transferred from: Glasgow Thistle, 01/1894, £15 |
| Birthdate: 03-04-1872 |
Years at Club: 1894-1896 |
| Age: (152) |
Debut: 13/01/1894 v Sheffield Wednesday (H) 1-2 (League Division One) |
| Birthplace: Neilston, East Renfrewshire, Scotland |
Previous clubs: Glasgow Thistle |
| Height: |
Farewell to Manchester United: Transferred to Blackpool, 05/1896, £ |
| Weight: |
Passed Away: 29/12/1906 |
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Neilston was John Clarkin's birthplace as well as his first team. He was a Scottish right winger famed for his accurate crosses. He first moved south in November 1891, signing for Bootle, a Football Alliance side at the time. He made his debut against Small Heath Alliance (now Birmingham) and went on to appear in 14 games, netting three goals.
Bootle were elected to the new Division Two of the Football League in 1892 and Clarkin was one of the few successes, scoring an impressive 9 goals in 10 games. Sadly, the club folded at the end of 1892-93, forcing their outside-right to head back to Scotland and hook up with Glasgow Thistle.
However, after only half a season there, John was signed by Newton Heath for £15 in 1894. He made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday on January 13th and quickly made the position his own, playing in the last 12 matches and still finding time to hammer four goals for the reserves against Beswick. He missed just one league game in 1894-95, netted a respectable 11 goals, and raised the roof at Bank Street in the last match of the season: with a few minutes left against Notts County, Clarkin rushed in to breast the ball home and earn a 3-3 draw. This point secured Heath a play-off spot by virtue of goal average! Alas, they proceeded to lose to Stoke and remain in the Second Division.
During his time in Manchester, Clarkin was known as "Jock" and suitably shared lodgings with another Scot, skipper John McCartney. Decades later, McCartney fondly recalled Jock as being "one of the most humorous fellows". Apparently, he came from a very respectable family and would send money home each week to be banked for him.
John continued to be productive in 1895-96 and was often on the scoresheet yet, surprisingly, he was let go in 1896 when Blackpool wanted him for their inaugural League campaign. As ever, he was consistent on the wing, playing in 54 out of 60 matches over two seasons for the Seasiders.
Neighbours Burnley were impressed by Clarkin's effectiveness and they paid Blackpool £90 for him on May 4th, 1898. Or perhaps not: that night, they informed Blackpool that deal was off! The Seasiders, however, insisted Burnley still pay them the money, and they even got the Football League to enforce the transfer. The Clarets obviously decided they did not like Clarkin for, in September, they accused him of misbehaving in town and missing training. Before he had even kicked a ball for his new club, he was suspended sine die!
Apparently they continued to pay him, even after he had returned to live in Scotland, because in March 1899, they requested he pay them back £44 in wages. They even got the Football Association to insist he pays or he could not play for anyone else! Whether he eventually acceded to their demands has never been documented, but he also never appeared for any other club after that.
Thanks to Tony Onslow for his researching effort & the correct information on John Clarkin. John sadly died at the young age of 34. Biography kindly provided by Charbel Boujaoude. |
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| League |
League Cup |
FA Cup |
Charity Shield |
European Cup |
Europa League |
Super Cup |
Cup Winners Cup |
Inter-Continental Cup |
World Clubs Cup |
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| No |
Season |
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Season
Goals |
Season
Apps |
| 1 |
1893-1894 |
5 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
15 |
| 2 |
1894-1895 |
11 |
30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
31 |
| 3 |
1895-1896 |
7 |
26 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
28 |
| TOTALS |
23 |
69 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
74 |
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