Chris Cleary
Encyclopedia
Chris Cleary is a retired American soccer player whose professional career had been played entirely in Europe. His career was cut short due to multiple ankle injuries.
where he began high school at Catholic Memorial High School, later transferring to Noble and Greenough School
. A member of the Massachusetts Olympic Development Teams from ages 13–19 and playing youth football for Charles River United and F.C. Greater Boston Bolts, Cleary managed to win five state titles and three Regional Championships, and was named Tournament MVP three times. Cleary was also named to the All-Conference Team in high school three times, twice named to the All-State Team and twice named to the All-Region Team. He finished his high school career with over 110 points. Cleary was also an All-Conference basketball
and baseball
player in his senior year of high school and had been recruited to play all three sports in college.
at Boston College
from 1998 to 2001 for Ed Kelly
. He was a Big East All-Conference selection and Regional All-American his senior season and the recipient of the Tom McElroy Scholarship. Cleary started all but four games in his four seasons in Chestnut Hill, playing primarily as an outside winger. During his junior year, Boston College
won the Big East tournament over Manfred Schellscheidt
's Seton Hall University
squad. Cleary finished his collegiate career ranking in Boston College's top 10 in both total points and assists.
club Karlsruher SC
. After two years on the books with KSC Cleary's agent, Bernd Wulffen, was in negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt
following a successful 4 day trial period, but communication between parties broke down for unknown reasons. As a result, in 2004, Cleary moved to England and signed a non-contract with Barnsley FC, but soon left for Worksop Town FC with Assistant Manager, Ronnie Glavin
and four other players. Cleary was rumoured to be making a move to Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
or Doncaster Rovers F.C.
after his performances in his team's FA Cup
games. (Cleary managed six goals and one assist in three games). He retired in 2005 after suffering another ankle injury necessitating two major operations. He has since returned to the United States
.
in the FA Cup
. Worksop Town FC defeated Droylesden FC 3–2 in front of 4,500 fans.
After this hat-trick Cleary became a cult hero with the Worksop fans who would chant "USA USA USA" whenever he did something to please them.
http://teamhandballnews.com/news.php?item.487
High school
The second of four siblings, Cleary grew up in Milton, MassachusettsMilton, Massachusetts
Milton is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States and part of the Greater Boston area. The population was 27,003 at the 2010 census. Milton is the birthplace of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush and architect Buckminster Fuller. Milton also has the highest percentage of...
where he began high school at Catholic Memorial High School, later transferring to Noble and Greenough School
Noble and Greenough School
The Noble and Greenough School, commonly known as Nobles, is a coeducational, nonsectarian day and boarding school for students in grades seven through twelve. It is located on a campus in Dedham, Massachusetts. The current enrollment of 550 students includes a balance of boys and girls, of whom...
. A member of the Massachusetts Olympic Development Teams from ages 13–19 and playing youth football for Charles River United and F.C. Greater Boston Bolts, Cleary managed to win five state titles and three Regional Championships, and was named Tournament MVP three times. Cleary was also named to the All-Conference Team in high school three times, twice named to the All-State Team and twice named to the All-Region Team. He finished his high school career with over 110 points. Cleary was also an All-Conference basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player in his senior year of high school and had been recruited to play all three sports in college.
College
Cleary played college soccerCollege soccer
College soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
at Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
from 1998 to 2001 for Ed Kelly
Ed Kelly
Edmond Kelly, also known as "Ed" or "Eddie" and nicknamed the Silver Fox, was and is a former U.S.-Irish soccer player. He played in the American Soccer League and one season in the North American Soccer League and earned two caps with the U.S. national team...
. He was a Big East All-Conference selection and Regional All-American his senior season and the recipient of the Tom McElroy Scholarship. Cleary started all but four games in his four seasons in Chestnut Hill, playing primarily as an outside winger. During his junior year, Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
won the Big East tournament over Manfred Schellscheidt
Manfred Schellscheidt
Manfred "Manny" Schellscheidt is a German-American soccer coach and former player. Born in Solingen in the Prussian Rhine Province, he emigrated to the United States in the 1970s. He spent three seasons in the North American Soccer League and one in the American Soccer League. He won two U.S...
's Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
squad. Cleary finished his collegiate career ranking in Boston College's top 10 in both total points and assists.
Professional
After completing his collegiate career, Cleary moved to Germany where he signed with Second Division2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
club Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC
Karlsruher SC is a German association football club, based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg. KSC rose out of the consolidation of a number of predecessor clubs. They currently play in the 2...
. After two years on the books with KSC Cleary's agent, Bernd Wulffen, was in negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
following a successful 4 day trial period, but communication between parties broke down for unknown reasons. As a result, in 2004, Cleary moved to England and signed a non-contract with Barnsley FC, but soon left for Worksop Town FC with Assistant Manager, Ronnie Glavin
Ronnie Glavin
Ronnie Glavin is a Scottish footballer who played as a midfielder.-Club career:Glavin began his League career at Partick Thistle and spent six years at the club, making his name as a talented attacking midfielder before joining Celtic in 1974. During his five years at Parkhead, Glavin enjoyed...
and four other players. Cleary was rumoured to be making a move to Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
or Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
after his performances in his team's FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
games. (Cleary managed six goals and one assist in three games). He retired in 2005 after suffering another ankle injury necessitating two major operations. He has since returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
FA Cup hat-trick
On October 6, 2004, Cleary became the first American to ever score a hat-trickHat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. Worksop Town FC defeated Droylesden FC 3–2 in front of 4,500 fans.
After this hat-trick Cleary became a cult hero with the Worksop fans who would chant "USA USA USA" whenever he did something to please them.
Agent
In May 2008 Cleary's agent from 2002–2004, Bernd Wulffen, was arrested by Interpol in Cape Town, South Africa on charges of fraud and theft. Wulffen was said to have represented a number of other American and German soccer and handball players while attempting to start an exchange program. http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080518/EDM_soccerscam_080518/20080518/?hub=EdmontonHomehttp://teamhandballnews.com/news.php?item.487