Archie Clark (footballer) explained

Archie Clark
Full Name:Archibald William Clark
Birth Date:2 April 1902
Birth Place:Shoreham, Kent
Position:Midfielder
Height:5 ft 10 in[1]
Clubs1:Grays Thurrock
Years2:1927
Clubs2:Brentford
Caps2:1
Years3:1927–1928
Clubs3:Arsenal
Caps3:2
Years4:1928–1931
Clubs4:Luton Town
Years5:1931–1936
Clubs5:Everton
Years6:1936–1939
Clubs6:Tranmere Rovers
Manageryears1:1939–1958
Managerclubs1:Gillingham
Manageryears2:1958–1959
Managerclubs2:Sheffield United

Archibald William Clark (4 April 1902[2] – January 1967) was an English football player and manager.

Playing career

Born in Shoreham, Kent, Clark started out at Grays Thurrock before turning professional and joining Brentford in March 1927. He only played one League game for the Bees, before moving to Arsenal in May the same year. Mainly used as a wing half at Arsenal, he was mostly a reserve, only playing one first-team game, in a 4–1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on 5 November 1927.[3]

He moved to Luton Town in November 1928 and spent three seasons there before joining Everton in 1931.[4] He was a near ever-present as they won the 1931–32 First Division title. However, he was forced out of the side by Cliff Britton and Joe Mercer and between 1932 and 1936 only played two League games. In 1936 he moved to Tranmere Rovers and won the 1937–38 Third Division North title.

Managerial career

He managed Gillingham for nineteen years, from 1939 to 1958.[5] He also had a brief spell as acting manager of Sheffield United.[6] He finished his career as a scout at Sheffield United. He died aged 62 in January 1967.

Notes and References

  1. News: Tranmere sign nine amateurs . Sunday Dispatch Football Guide . London . 23 August 1936 . xvi . Newspapers.com.
  2. Archie Clark, Professional football player and manager, in 1939 England and Wales Register
  3. Book: Harris, Jeff. Hogg. Tony . Arsenal Who's Who . Independent UK Sports . 1995 . 1-899429-03-4 .
  4. Web site: Other Players 1920 – 1929. https://web.archive.org/web/20120206051816/http://www.efchistory.co.uk/Other%20Players%201920%20-%201939.htm. 6 February 2012. efchistory.co.uk. 24 October 2015.
  5. Web site: Gillingham Manager History – Past & Present – Soccer Base. soccerbase.com. 24 October 2015.
  6. Web site: United Managers – Sheffield United – Club – Facts & Figures – Facts & Figures . https://web.archive.org/web/20080413193103/http://www.sufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/FactsFigures/0%2C%2C10418~1081155%2C00.html . 13 April 2008 . premiumtv.co.uk . 24 October 2015 . dead .