Robert Clare
Encyclopedia
Robert Clare is an English
former professional football
player. He played as a right-back or a central defender.
He began his career at Stockport County
, where he had progressed through the Centre of Excellence youth system, making his debut as a substitute in a 4-1 defeat at Fulham
. He spent one season at Blackpool
, before leaving the seaside to re-join Stockport
.
In August 2004, Clare received a call-up to the England Under-21
squad for their friendly against the Ukraine. He was an unused substitute
. He has played for and captained the England under 19 team.
During 06-07
, Clare was part of the Stockport County side that set a record for winning nine games in a row without conceding. He was notable for playing every minute of that nine-game run.
In June 2008, Clare was released from his contract with Stockport County after an injury-plagued year. Injury forced Clare to retire prematurely at the age of 25. He is now pursuing referee and coaching qualifications.
Clare returned to Stockport County in July 2010 as Commercial Manager.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player. He played as a right-back or a central defender.
He began his career at Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
, where he had progressed through the Centre of Excellence youth system, making his debut as a substitute in a 4-1 defeat at Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
. He spent one season at Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, before leaving the seaside to re-join Stockport
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
.
In August 2004, Clare received a call-up to the England Under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
squad for their friendly against the Ukraine. He was an unused substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
. He has played for and captained the England under 19 team.
During 06-07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
, Clare was part of the Stockport County side that set a record for winning nine games in a row without conceding. He was notable for playing every minute of that nine-game run.
In June 2008, Clare was released from his contract with Stockport County after an injury-plagued year. Injury forced Clare to retire prematurely at the age of 25. He is now pursuing referee and coaching qualifications.
Clare returned to Stockport County in July 2010 as Commercial Manager.